Reacting to the news that RTÉ will resume full broadcasting of news bulletins to citizens across the island, Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes said: 

“This is the right and sensible decision by RTÉ to reverse the geo-blocking of news broadcasts, which locked out hundreds of thousands of viewers from the north.

“This will ensure citizens here can continue to stay up to date with political, economic and social developments happening throughout Ireland. 

“Despite this, the question must be asked – why were northern viewers blocked in the first instance?

“It’s important that as a national broadcaster, RTÉ is accessible to all across the entire island. 

“It’s simply not good enough that RTÉ will continue to geo-block coverage of Team Ireland competing in the Olympic Games despite more than 30 northerners representing the national team.

“RTÉ is a publicly funded body and I will be seeking a meeting with the Minster for Media and the RTÉ Director General to discuss bringing the insidious practice of geo-blocking northern citizens to an end.”