RTÉ today announced details of an agreement with the FAI, which covers television and radio rights for international football on the public service broadcaster up to 2010.
Under the terms of the deal, RTÉ has secured the rights to broadcast all of the Republic of Ireland's competitive home international matches up to the 2010 World Cup on both television and radio.
This includes all home qualifiers for the 2008 European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, and all home qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The deal also includes any home play-off matches.
In addition, RTÉ will also hold television broadcast rights for all home friendly matches on a deferred basis from 1st August 2006 to 30th June 2010. The radio rights are for live coverage of both competitive and friendly home matches.
RTÉ is already broadcasting the Republic of Ireland's home qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
In a statement, RTÉ's TV Sport boss, Glen Killane, said: "This is great news for Irish football fans. I'm delighted that we are delivering coverage of the national team in both friendly and competitive matches to the widest possible audience.
"It ensures that all of the Irish public will be able to participate in what looks like being an exciting time for the Irish national team. RTÉ is looking forward to continued partnership with the FAI in the years ahead."
RTÉ's Radio Sport editor Paddy Glackin added: "RTÉ Radio is looking forward to continuing and developing our long-standing relationship with the FAI, and to bringing a comprehensive national coverage of international soccer to our listeners."
The new agreement was described by FAI interim chief executive John Delaney as "a very substantial and significant one for football in Ireland.
"The fee involved is a significant increase on the current arrangement and reflects a very strong market value and improving stature for Irish international football TV rights," he added.
An announcement regarding coverage of the domestic game is expected in the coming weeks.
