Vol. 357 No. 1
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the steps the Government is taking to comply with the terms of the resolution passed by Dáil Éireann on 6 June 1982 which called on the Government to take whatever steps were necessary to maintain and develop the studio facilities at the National Film Studios of Ireland at Ardmore, Bray, County Wicklow.
501.
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if the covenant agreed with the purchasers of Ardmore Studios in July 1984 specified that the lands and studios had to used for film studios and/or film making only until July 1987; if he believes that this complies with the terms of the resolution passed by Dáil Éireann on 6 June 1982; if he will publish the full terms of the covenant or agreement made with the purchasers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 500 and 501 together. The terms of the resolution passed by the Dáil on June 16 1982 were complied with by the instruction to the then liquidator to find a purchaser for the studios who would use it for film-making and related purposes. This instruction was effected by the inclusion of covenant, as follows, in the special conditions attaching to the sale contract of the Ardmore property:
The Purchaser hereby undertakes and hereby expressly agrees with the Vendor that the premises, the subject of this sale, shall be used exclusively for the purpose of Film Studios or otherwise for the business of Film Making or similar or related activities for three years following the close of sale but in the event of sale or change of user within the three year period, the purchaser will give to the Minister for Industry and Energy three months notice in advance in writing of the proposed sale or change of user.
A covenant to this effect will be contained in the Conveyance to the Purchaser together with a further covenant that any future Conveyance within the said three year period shall contain a similar covenant as to the user of the premises the subject of this sale.
I believe that the terms of the foregoing covenant comply with the terms of the Dáil resolution in so far as they ensured that sale of the studios took place to a concern that did intend to use them as film studios. I note with regret that a liquidator is again in the process of selling the studios. My Department has been in contact with the liquidator to advise him of the existence of the covenant and that developments will be monitored closely.
