Streaming services behind paywalls are not a “reliable way to view the games”, according to the Fianna Fáil Senator.

GAAGO, the streaming service launched by RTÉ and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), is a subscription-based channel that took over from Sky Sports in streaming GAA games online.

This means there is a lack of championship matches on free-to-air television.

Speaking to Lunchtime Live, Senator Dooley said a recent Clare and Limerick hurling match “was a cracking game, and you couldn't get it anywhere – you had to pay to get it over the streaming service.”

“The streaming system went down on occasion, so it's not a reliable way to view the game,” he said.

“GAA is an amateur sport, and there is under that an expectation that it would be and should be free-to-air.”

‘Voluntary code of practice’

Senator Dooley said RTÉ and Virgin Media should come to an “arrangement for important content.”

“[They] would have access to advertising revenue as a result of showing games like that,” he said.

“[They would] come to some kind of a commercial arrangement that the punter at the end of the day has this product free-to-air.”

The senator said that because players are not being paid for their role, a similar “voluntary code of practice” should be taken up by the media.

“I think the same thing to permeate and right away through to viewership and it shouldn't be beyond the capacity and the capabilities of our two stations.”

‘A wider issue’

One Lunchtime Live listener, Art, told the show he believes paywalls are part of “a wider issue than just RTÉ or whoever you are involved here.”

He said scheduling issues mean that games do not receive equal attention from broadcasters and attendees.

“The under 20 Leinster finals in Dublin was on midweek,” he said.

Art said that the Ulster and Munster, Cork and Kerry and Down and Derry matches were shown on TG4, while the Kildare and Dublin matches were not shown on TG4.

“Croke Park … other games during the year ahead The Hill is closed … it’s open mostly for Dublin games, but not lesser games during the year.”

General view of Croke Park during the RBS 6 Nations match between Ireland and England, 24-02-2007. Image: PA Images / Alamy

‘A blockage for engagement’

Niall in Maynooth said paywalls are “a bit unfortunate in terms of development of the game.”

“Carving out certain games where people have to pay, the problem is … people with young families … just may not be able to pay the subscription for the game,” he said.

“It's just closing things off from them that a wonder why they're doing it.

“It seems contrary to their spirit of engagement and involvement of people

Niall said he sees the GAA as something you put voluntary time into.

“Coaching and even the work behind the scenes in clubs – local people do it,” he said.

“It would seem a shame to bring in something that actually acts as a blockage to people getting engaged.

“You paid to go to see the games, that's fine, but to try to get on television, I think it should be free.”

You can listen back to the episode here: