Exclusive: GAAGO ‘could be bigger debacle than Toy Show musical’

Media Minister Catherine Martin has been sharply warned by Government members that ‘GAAGO could turn into a bigger debacle than the Toy Show’ musical.

The warning was made by Fine Gael senator Tim Lombard, who said: ‘The minister has to act proactively here.’

Mr Lombard expressed particular concern over ‘the absence of references in the five-year strategic plan brought forward by RTÉ to the GAAGO issue, where the GAA is tied into RTÉ’.

He warned: ‘RTÉ and the GAA are sleepwalking into trouble here. There is a significant issue that needs to be addressed around what is the long-term strategic plan for RTÉ working with the likes of GAAGO, which is just broadcasting a certain number of games on a paywall system. The minister needs to wake up.’

Mr Lombard also stated: ‘This may yet become an accidental election issue.’

Fianna Fáil junior minister Niall Collins also called for far greater transparency on this issue, warning: ‘The GAA obviously needs to be funded but we must ensure that this is not at the expense of promoting the game.’

He added that a situation where ‘those who have followed the game for generations are locked out’ is not acceptable either.

Mr Collins said viewers needed ‘far greater transparency and openness about issues such as viewership and accessibility’.

Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy also warned: ‘Any agency built on principles of volunteerism should not charge its members to view its games. The service should be free to air.’ GAAGO has also attracted the acute political antennae of Taoiseach Simon Harris, who will shortly be meeting GAA president Jarlath Burns and RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst on the issue.

The Media Minister is also facing parliamentary queries on ‘the information she and her department have on the number of people who have watched streaming services from GAAGO and if she will release such information’.

Ms Martin is also believed to be on the rack over her wish to fund RTÉ via the Exchequer.

New Finance Minister Jack Chambers, in his first day in office, dismissed Ms Martin’s plans, warning: ‘I think maintaining a direct payment or contribution from the Irish public is of central importance.’

A spokesman for RTÉ said: ‘GAAGO was set up long before the current allocation of rights. RTÉ can and could accommodate more games but the allocation of rights is a matter for the GAA.’