The Government considered designating the Ryder Cup as a "free to air" event back in October 2002 but rejected the idea because the tournament had found a home on subscription television.

A document prepared by Department of Communications officials said: "The Ryder Cup has in recent years been broadcast on a subscription television service.

"This is particularly the case in the years during which the competition has enjoyed the greatest popular support.".

The document then concluded: "Accordingly it is recommended that the Minister should not, at this time, designate any of the golfing events".

The Government is accepting submissions on the issue of whether Ryder Cup 2006 or other events should be free on terrestrial television up until this Friday.

The 2002 report, which was drawn up by officials in the Department for then Minister Dermot Ahern, said there was no convincing reason for designating golf events, mainly because most tournaments only attracted small audiences.

Sky Ireland will make their submission on the issue this week and it is expected to point to previous Government views about designating golf events.

The Taoiseach Mr Ahern has made it clear he would like to see the event, which takes place at the K Club in September, free to the widest possible audience via terrestrial television like RTÉ, as opposed to satellite television like Sky.

Last week the Irish golfer Paul McGinley said it should be possible to come up with a compromise between BSkyB, the Government and the European Tour, which controls the TV rights for major golfing events. He suggested compensation might be paid to BSkyB or the European Tour.

The Sky submission this week is unlikely to support this option and will instead concentrate on the legal position of the parties - for example BSkyB has contracts in place for the live rights to the Ryder Cup in Britain and Ireland, as well as many other golfing events.

It will point out that the Government knew Sky had the rights when it signed up for staging the Ryder Cup in 1997.

The various submissions will be studied by the current Minister for Communications, Noel Dempsey. RTÉ's television unit is also expected to make a submission.

RTÉ has rights to delayed highlights of the tournament, but the Taoiseach appears determined to have this extended to live rights.

The Ryder Cup is the biggest sporting event ever held in Ireland. It is likely to draw a large Irish audience, especially if players like Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington make the team.

If the event goes "free to air" it could potentially deny Sky Sports a significant number of subscribers.