10.7.2007 Official Journal of the European Union L 18017 COMMISSION DECISION of 25 June 2007 on the compatibility with Community law of measures taken by Ireland pursuant to Article 3a(1) of Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities (2007/478EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordi- nation of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities ('), and in particular Article 3a(2) thereof, Having regard to the opinion of the Committee established pursuant to Article 23a of Directive 89/552/EEC, Whereas: (1) By letter of 7 November 2002, Ireland notified to the Commission measures to be taken pursuant to Article 3a(1) of Directive 89/552/EEC. (2)  The Commission verified, within three months from this notification, that such measures are compatible with Community law, in particular as regards the pro- portionality of the measures and the transparency of the national consultation procedure. (3) In its examination, the Commission took into con- sideration the available data on the Irish media landscape. (4 The list of events of major importance for society included in the Irish measures was drawn up in a clear and transparent manner and a far-reaching consultation had been launched in Ireland. (5 The Commission was satisfied that the events listed in the Irish measures met at least two of the following criteria considered to be reliable indicators of the importance of events for society: (i) a special general resonance within the Member State, and not simply a significance to those who ordinarily follow the sport or (") OJ L 298, 17.10.1989, p. 23. Directive as amended by Directive 97/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O] L 202, 30.7.1997, p. 60). activity concerned; (i) a generally recognised, distinct cultural importance for the population in the Member State, in particular as a catalyst of cultural identity; (i) involvement of the national team in the event concerned in the context of a competition or tournament of inter- national importance; and (iv) the fact that the event has traditionally been broadcast on free television and has commanded large television audiences. A number of the events listed in the Irish measures, including the summer Olympics, the World Cup and European Championship football matches involving the Irish national team, as well as the opening games, the semi-finals and the finals of these tournaments, fall within the category of events traditionally considered to be of major importance for society, as referred to explicitly in recital 18 of Directive 97/36/EC. These events have a special general resonance in Ireland, as they are particularly popular with the general public, not just with those who usually follow sport events. Moreover, Ireland’s games in the World Cup and in the European Championship have a generally recognised, distinct cultural importance as a catalyst of Irish cultural identity. Those games act as a focal point for society at large, helping to create a sense of national identity and pride in being Irish. Ireland’s home and away qualifying games in the European Football Championship and the FIFA World Cup have a special general resonance in Ireland, extending well beyond those who ordinarily follow the sport. Gaelic football and hurling are distinctively Irish sports. Therefore, the All Ireland Senior Inter-County Football and Hurling Finals have a generally recognised, distinct cultural importance for the Irish population as a catalyst of national cultural identity. In Ireland, rugby is played on an organised basis throughout the entire country. Therefore, Ireland’s games in the Six Nations Championship and in the Rugby World Cup finals tournament have a special general resonance for the people of Ireland. Ireland’s games in the Rugby World Cup finals tournament involve the Irish national team in a major international tournament, thus having an impact on Irish national identity.