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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Louise Burne

Media and Sports Minister says it would be 'inappropriate' to talk to RTÉ or GAA about GAAGo

The Media and Sports Minister has said that it would not be "appropriate" for her to engage with RTÉ or the GAA over the ongoing GAAGo controversy.

Catherine Martin said that it was a "commercial decision for the GAA" which matches are shown free to air and which are put behind a paywall.

Both Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Micheál Martin have said that they wanted all major GAA games free to air.

READ MORE: Tánaiste against 'putting great moments of sport behind a paywall' as GAAGo row continues

The GAAGo app has caused controversy in political circles recently following the decision by the GAA to broadcast the Clare vs Limerick and Cork vs Tipperary matches behind the paywall. A subscription costs €12 per match or €79 per year. Both RTÉ and the GAA are shareholders in the app.

Virgin Media released a blistering statement questioning whether RTÉ had agreed to keep some matches "behind a paywall to drive incremental revenues".

Minister Martin said that she has not spoken to either the GAA or RTÉ about the issue as it would not be "appropriate" for her to do so.

The Green Party TD is Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

"RTÉ and GAA are coming into the [Oireachtas] Committee and I think that's the right forum for that," she said.

"They're independent, both RTÉ and GAA, in those commercial decisions. I don't think it'd be appropriate for me to engage.

"I don't have any role in those commercial decisions. It wouldn't be me and I think that's why I think the right forum for that is in the Committee."

When it was pointed out to Minister Martin by The Irish Mirror that the Tánaiste had spoken out about the issue, Ms Martin said that people "can express their opinions".

She continued: "I have said I think it's understandable we all want to see as many matches, especially our own counties. The real fans want to see each and every game. It makes sense.

"I’d just be cautious myself, not only as Minister for Sport but Minister for Media, I don't think it'd be appropriate for me to comment on the commercial decisions of the GAA or RTÉ."

Minister Martin said that she does not believe that every game can be shown for free.

She also welcomed the GAA’s commitment to "review" the app at the end of the season.

The issue looks set to continue for another few weeks as the Oireachtas Sports and Media Committee decided to hold two meetings to discuss the future of "broadcasting sport".

Several members of the committee had called for the GAA and RTÉ to be hauled in. However, a tense meeting on Wednesday ultimately decided that all sports organisations and broadcasters would be invited in for a more general discussion.

Although discussions about the app have dominated Leinster House this week, some politicians have already grown sick of the argument.

One Senior Minister told The Irish Mirror that the saga was "ridiculous" and had been "blown out of proportion."

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