RTÉ appears to have paved the way for northern viewers to take part in future competitions – after allowing email entries for an All-Ireland ticket giveaway.
There had been concerns that the competition element of TV programme Up for the Match would exclude northerners, despite featuring fans of Armagh in the audience.
The sought-after prize is a regular feature of the highly popular show, which is presented by Des Cahill and Jacqui Hurley on the eve of the All-Ireland football and hurling finals every year.
Viewers are asked to answer a question to enter but competition rules normally say that it is open to “ROI residents only”.
RTÉ was asked specifically would northern viewers be excluded.
In a statement to The Irish News, the broadcaster said “such competitions are subject to a different legal and regulatory environment in Northern Ireland and therefore are restricted to ROI residents only”.
However, it later issued a further statement that said Up for the Match would instead “run an email competition for All Ireland final tickets that viewers can apply for”.
Some viewers from the north said they had difficulties entering via email, however. They received an automated response saying their message could not be delivered as the inbox was receiving “too much mail”.
Prime-time programmes including The Late Late Show previously offered a Northern Ireland number as an option for phone-in competitions. However, viewers in the north have not been allowed to enter RTÉ radio, TV and online competitions since 2019.
Competitions which bar northerners from entering have been previously called “discriminatory” but the broadcaster has defended rules which were set with “legal advice”.
In 2021 RTÉ said that gambling laws in the north, which say that competitions must involved a “substantial degree of skill” rather than uncomplicated or easy answers, were behind the decision.
But this was contested by the Department for Communities which said it did not believe the legislation prevented people in the north from entering competitions.
It is hoped that by offering an email option for Up for the Match, the same can be extended to other shows meaning northern viewers can take part in future competitions.
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes welcomed the latest change.
“It would have been unthinkable to lock the people of the six counties out of the chance to win tickets to watch a northern county play in (Sunday’s) final which will be watched by people right across this island,” he said.
“This is another positive step in the right direction in breaking down barriers faced by northern citizens when trying to avail of RTÉ's services.
“Sinn Féin will continue working to ensure that RTÉ is accessible to all across the entire island.”