Irish state broadcaster RTE is planning to offer Ireland’s leading newspaper publishers the option of using content from its news bulletins for free on their websites, according to a report last night.

The Irish Times reported that the offer could be made in the coming days to trade body National Newspapers of Ireland to defuse a row over the broadcaster’s commercial activities.

A six-month trial would see RTE reports made available each day covering general news, politics, economics, business and health but critically not sports coverage.