You'd never know there was an election coming. Not.

Communications Minister Alex White was recently quizzed about a report that states he's looking into the possibility of making the Six Nations free-to-air for Ireland.

It would effectively mean that Six Nations matches - be they Ireland games or anyone else's - would be made available to terrestrial channels like RTE, TG4 and TV3.

Minister White believes there's a strong case for it, but that a consultation period must follow which will see him discuss the matter with TV broadcasters and the IRFU.

If an event is deemed to be of cultural significance to the people, it can be made available via all terrestrial channels across the entire island - including Northern Ireland.

International broadcasts of the matches would still remain with the Six Nations and would be sold to whichever channel, however in Ireland, they would be freely available.

It's understood the IRFU opposes the move and believe the current system should remain.

 

Via RTE