RTÉ has said it will resume broadcasting news bulletins in Northern Ireland, which were blocked yesterday due to a rights issue relating to the 2024 Paris Olympics.In a statement, the broadcaster said: "RTÉ has rights to broadcast the 2024 Olympic Games in the Republic of Ireland only. RTÉ is not permitted to broadcast the 2024 Olympic Games in Northern Ireland."However, RTÉ will resume broadcast of its news bulletins in Northern Ireland, including news from the Olympic Games."Broadcast rights for Northern Ireland are held by the BBC as part of a deal made with Discovery, the pan-European rights holder, back in 2016."Viewers in Northern Ireland expressed frustration yesterday with an inability to access RTÉ News programmes.They were shown a message saying the content was blocked in their region.Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes welcomed the announcement and said it will ensure viewers in Northern Ireland "can continue to stay up to date with political, economic and social developments happening throughout Ireland".He added he will be seeking a meeting with the Minister for Media and the RTÉ Director General to discuss geoblocking.Earlier, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP condemned the geoblock as "outrageous", and "a new low" that "treats northern citizens with total disdain".The Foyle MP wrote to the RTÉ Director General "underscoring the broadcaster's obligation to provide services across the island of Ireland".Mr Eastwood wrote to the pan-European Olympics broadcasting rights holders Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) about the decision which he said "creates a hierarchy of Irish citizens".Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, said that it was unacceptable that viewers in Northern Ireland were unable to access RTÉ's news programming."The people of Northern Ireland have a right to access the same public service broadcasting as their fellow citizens in the Republic," he said.
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