"Sky’s constant price hikes are making sport unaffordable for ordinary people and small pubs that are struggling to stay afloat"

Michael Collins TD, Leader of Independent Ireland, has called for a fairer, more reasonable approach from major broadcasters like Sky Ireland amid rising concerns over affordability, particularly for small publicans and struggling households.

“Sky has been raising its prices year after year and people are struggling, the cost of simply showing sport in a small pub is heading towards €1000 per month, and over €2,000 for larger venues. That’s simply unsustainable for many rural and family-run pubs.”

Sky Ireland has recently warned up to 400,000 users of so-called ‘dodgy boxes’ that they face enforcement action, but Deputy Collins said the broader issue being ignored is value – or the lack of it.

“There has to be give and take,” he said. “Pubs rely on live sport – soccer, GAA, horse racing – to survive. These events bring people in the door, help communities to stay connected, and support local employment. But the burden of broadcasting fees, on top of insurance, staffing, electricity and carbon taxes, is pushing too many to the brink.”

Deputy Collins added that the wider public is also struggling under the weight of rising fuel, heating, food, and housing costs.

“People have fewer and fewer small comforts – watching a match with a neighbour or friends is one of the last ones left. We would hope that in the current climate of sky-high prices across the board, Sky and other providers might sit down and engage with both the licensed trade and ordinary viewers to find solutions.”

Independent Ireland is calling for a formal dialogue between broadcasters and representatives of the hospitality sector to explore new, more flexible pricing models.

“If sport is priced out of reach for the very people who support it – the customers, the publicans, the communities – then everybody loses,” Deputy Collins said.