asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether an inquiry has been held in recent years into the whole question of the film industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Film Industry Inquiry.
No official inquiry into the whole question of the film industry has been made in recent years. The desirability of developing a film industry has not, however, been overlooked and, at my request, the National Film Institute of Ireland some time ago convened a representative meeting of film interests to consider the possibility of developing a film industry here. I understand that consideration of the matter by the interests concerned is proceeding and that their views will be conveyed to me in due course.
Is the Minister aware that on the 23rd November, 1950, his predecessor in office assured the House that an inquiry was going on into the whole question of the film industry within the Department of Industry and Commerce? Is he aware further, that on the 14th December of the same year the previous Minister for Industry and Commerce reiterated what he had said earlier in November, that a large scale inquiry was under way in order to ensure that, with regard to newsreels for a start, news of Irish interest and with a slant on Irish life would be shown in our cinemas? In view of that inquiry which was taking place, would the Minister tell the House what the result of the inquiry was?
If the Deputy wanted detailed information of that kind, I think he should have phrased the question differently. There was a departmental inquiry undertaken in 1938 in this matter.
I said 1950.
I have no information about the 1950 inquiry except that this is a matter which has from time to time been looked at by the Department. No definite steps were taken in the matter. I felt we ought to begin some place and recently I asked the National Film Institute of Ireland to convene a meeting of the variety of interests affected in this matter. They held that meeting and the committee is functioning. I expect to get a report in due course and then we will have a look at the matter in the light of the report submitted by the committee. This is the latest position in the matter.
There seems to be a clash with regard to the information available to the Minister and the information conveyed to the Dáil by his predecessor. I refer him to the actual dates—the 23rd November and the 14th December. My question asks whether an inquiry has been held in recent years. I do not think that 1950 is away back in the distant past. Surely, if his predecessor in this House stated that an inquiry was going on into the whole question of the film industry, the inquiry has now finished and the results should be made known to this House— or has the Minister been misinformed by his advisers in this matter?
The Deputy is probably reading into what was said something more than was intended.
It was as a result of two questions.
There was this formal inter-departmental inquiry in 1938. A report was made by the committee then established in 1942. Since then, there has been no further inquiry into the matter.
Surely there is something wrong with regard to the means by which the information is made available?
Question No. 4.
May we get this matter clarified?
Mr. Lemass
He should have referred to the Minister's predecessor but one.
Was it correct for the present Minister for External Affairs, Deputy Cosgrave, who, at the time, was Acting-Minister for Industry and Commerce to state in this House that an inquiry——
That is a separate question.
If that inquiry was going on—and I do not deny it—surely, as a result of that inquiry——
It is an entirely separate matter. The accuracy of previous matters does not arise on this.
Surely the accuracy of a reply arises in the course of debate——
This is not debate. This is question time when Deputies are asking for facts. The Minister has replied.
Has no inquiry taken place during the period 1950——
I am calling Question No. 4.