RONAN TYNAN,
Sir, - I am stunned by how contemptuous the FAI spokespeople are about criticism of their deal with Rupert Murdoch's Sky empire. But this is globalisation at work, a process from which Ireland has profited, and which is now leading to public services being commodified and sold to the highest bidder.
Globalisation may be an unstoppable process, but there is no reason it cannot be managed in the public interest if we insist that public services, such as the public broadcasting of major events, are protected.
In the Third World, as I have seen first hand over the past few months, this trend can be a matter of life or death when basic public services are privatised with potentially fatal consequences for the poor. The really outrageous thing about the FAI's decision is how the loyalty of hundred of thousands of Irish soccer fans counted for nothing when Murdoch's minions waved the cheque book. Then again, in Bangladesh only a couple of weeks ago, I experienced a similar sense of outrage that anyone would even suggest privatising water services knowing many families would not be able to afford the increased charges.
While access to soccer on public service television is not in the same league as the right to clean drinking water, the FAI has given us a useful yellow card about the remorseless economic forces driving globalisation, as exemplified by the World Trade Organisation, and especially by the extension of the GATS agreement, which are creating a world where it is becoming more difficult to protect key public services from the clutches of multinational companies concerned only to maximise profits.
Increasingly, such forces will affect services such as public service broadcasting, health, education and public utilities such as water supplies.
However, we do have a choice. We live in a democracy. There is no such thing as a done deal if it is clearly not in the public interest. This is an especially outrageous deal by the FAI given that the organisation has been allocated tens of millions of euro by the Government - our money! - as part of the sports stadium deal.
This decision can be reversed if the political will is there to do so. - Yours, etc.,
RONAN TYNAN, Esperanza Productions, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
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A chara, - The FAI has been criticised in recent months for not being run professionally. Turning down this lucrative offer from Sky would have been unprofessional. RTÉ offered less money than it currently pays and Sky/TV3 offered a 350 per cent increase.
I'm a fan who travelled to the World Cup, but I'm also a fan who regularly attends league games in Ireland. The FAI can now put this money into the international team and, just as importantly, into the domestic game in Ireland. RTÉ's coverage of the Eircom League has been mediocre at the best of times. TV3's daily coverage on Sports Tonight has been quite comprehensive. TV3 will now show a weekly highlights programme, something RTÉ failed to do.
Criticism should be laid, not at the FAI, but at this Government, which could have ring-fenced Ireland's rugby home internationals for domestic TV but decided not to. It now proposes to draw up a protected list of other sports - too late for those without Sky. RTÉ could not match any bid because its spending has been limited under this Government. - Yours, etc.,
MACDARA FERRIS, Anglesea Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
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Sir, - The FAI deserves hearty congratulations for its tireless promotion of the interests of its only remaining fans - Sky Television and publicans with a satellite dish.
It is only weeks since the FAI's previous spectacular coup in releasing the Ireland soccer players' statement on the Keane affair prematurely, scuppering any chance of Roy Keane returning to the World Cup. Not satisfied with this monumental blunder, the FAI has now decided that Ireland's football team is merely a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.
As for Ireland's football fans, they are simply irrelevant to the bumbling bureaucrats of the FAI. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN WALSH, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath.
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Sir, - As a lifelong supporter of the Irish soccer team I am shocked that my family will no longer be able to see our home games live on TV. This decision shows contempt for loyal fans.
If the FAI wants to restrict TV viewing to those who have Sky Sports, the Government should think again about its financial support for this association.
For us fans the best way to show the FAI what we think of them is to vote with our feet: boycott the next home game. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN MURPHY, Bishopstown Avenue, Cork.