asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what action, if any, he proposes to take regarding the enforced closing of Ardmore Studios, Bray.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closing of Ardmore Film Studios.
22.
My Department has been in touch for some time with the parties involved in this dispute and has provided all possible assistance to them. I will continue to keep in touch and if I can give any assistance to those concerned in reaching a solution to their differences, I will do so.
In view of the fact that a substantial portion of the cost of this studio has been paid for by the Irish taxpayer, would the Minister not consider that the Government have a duty to see that the money so expended is spent to the benefit of the Irish public, not as up to the present where the majority of the groups operating there used their own technicians and brought in their own extras from abroad, so that the cream of the expenditure went to people outside this State? Does he think that is a wise way to use the Irish people's money?
That is clearly an argument, not a question.
The immediate purpose of most studios is to make money.
They have done no credit to this country by what they have produced so far.