The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has cleared the proposed acquisition of Setanta Sports by Eir, Ireland's biggest telecoms group.

It will now go to the Minister for Communications, Alex White, for approval. The Minister has 30 working days to approve the deal, although this can be extended to 45 days in certain circumstances.

Under the Consumer and Competition Act 2014, the Minister is responsible for assessing the impact on plurality that any prospective media merger might have.

The proposed transaction was notified to the commission on December 18th and the State body said it was satisfied it met the criteria for a media merger.

“The commission has formed the view that the proposed transaction will not substantially lessen competition in any market for goods or services in the State,” it said in a statement.

The commission said it would publish the reasons for its determination on its website within 60 working days.