asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether it is the policy of his Department to recommend to semi-State bodies and industrial promotion bodies paid for out of public funds that promotional film material should, as far as possible, utilise Irish talent and the work of Irish film makers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Promotional Films.
35.
No recommendation of the kind has been given by my Department to semi-State bodies in relation to the film industry. Semi-State bodies under the aegis of my Department are, however, well aware of my attitude towards the use of Irish goods and services wherever feasible.
Was the Minister not contacted in the case recently where the IDA hired people from abroad for promotional film material relating to this country?
I was not contacted.
Was the Minister's attitude on the matter well known to the IDA before they made that decision?
My attitude on the utilisation of Irish material and Irish talent is well known to the IDA and, I hope, to the general public.
Did the Minister communicate with the IDA when he learned their decision?
I communicated with the IDA.
Did the Minister communicate his disapproval?
I did not communicate my disapproval. I communicated with them in relation to the correspondence which I received from a number of people concerning this matter, and the communications are still going on.
Your views are known—they should utilise Irish material?
Positively.
You voiced no opinion after they had used non-Irish film material?
At present I am making inquiries. I have a further reply in this matter.
We cannot pursue this matter in this question and answer manner.
I am puzzled by the Minister's attitude. Has the Minister a definite view on the necessity of semi-State bodies using Irish film material? The IDA have used non-Irish film material. The Minister says he is processing a reply to the IDA. I am interested to know when the processing will end and when the Minister will actually be communicating with the IDA and whether he approves of their action?
I should like to find out from the Deputy if he wants me to endeavour to interfere with the autonomy of the IDA. I should like to be clear on this. The IDA are an autonomous body. They know my views on this point. I want to know whether the House wants me to interfere with the decisions or the day-to-day business of the IDA.
(Cavan): Surely that is general policy.
When the IDA make idiotic decisions, it is the duty of the Minister to bring them back to their senses.
I have no reason to accept that this was an idiotic decision.
Give us the reasons you have.
(Interruptions.)
Is the Minister aware that the IDA went away and made this film before his processing had even begun?
Agreed. They are entitled to do this. Is the Deputy suggesting that the IDA should get my permission?
I am suggesting that the Minister might get hold of a calendar and arrange an end to this processing.
I will take no dictation from the Deputy.
Do not do your thing.
These little front-benchers are getting very important.
Your own is losing importance.
(Interruptions.)
36.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his Department were consulted by the Industrial Development Authority with regard to the decision taken by the authority to use the services of a foreign concern to make a promotional film for Irish industry; whether any Irish concerns were approached to do this; and, if not, why.
My Department were not consulted with regard to the production of this promotional film. This, as the Deputy will appreciate, is a matter of day-to-day administration of the Industrial Development Authority.
The Deputy may have seen the statement made by the authority and referred to in the Irish newspapers of 29th June which indicated that the IDA are producing a film to be used in their overseas promotional programmes, particularly in the United States. The objective of the film is to portray Ireland as an attractive location in which to establish manufacturing industry. The IDA consulted with and had advice from many people involved in the Irish film industry before deciding to employ a director with first-hand knowledge of the specialist needs of its principal market. The IDA emphasise that in contracting out the making of the film to Mr. Robert Ginna, on the recommendation of their New York office, they insisted that he recruit Irish personnel for all production work. The film is currently being shot by an all-Irish crew.
Is the Minister aware that it is not every day in the week the IDA decide on having film promotional material? In that sense, it is not an everyday routine decision. Is the Minister aware that by using a foreign producer, when competent Irish producers were available to do this work, we are advertising internationally our incapacity to produce adequate film work of this kind? A committee is sitting on the possible creation of an Irish film industry. It seems paradoxical that a semi-State agency should be advertising internationally our total incompetence in this area and that the Minister should be standing idly by processing his decision, and that in the meantime the IDA have prevailed on Mr. Ginna to change his citizenship. The Minister should hurry up his processing. Realistic objections have been made by Irish film-makers of international repute who were not adequately consulted before this very important decision of the IDA was taken.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy has debated this fully. Question No. 37.
It is not my fault if one's remarks to the Minister for Industry and Commerce are like dropping pebbles into an empty bucket.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy may not continue——
Has the Minister noticed the correspondence in the press from Irish film-makers, and has he any comment to make on their comments?
I got a letter myself. I have taken up the matter myself with the IDA. It arises from their correspondence.
I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with Deputy O'Leary.