Nora Owen
Question:29 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the submissions, if any, he has made to the GATT discussions in relation to the future development of the audio-visual industry in Ireland.
Written Answers. - Audio-Visual Industry.
Eoin Ryan
Question:31 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will make a statement on the effect which the GATT agreement could have on the development of the Irish film industry; and if he has any plans to minimise its effects.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:53 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the implications for the Irish film and broadcasting sectors of the recent GATT negotiations; if he has satisfied himself that these sectors have been protected and that attempts by the Motion Picture Exporters Association of America to oppose aids, quotas and subsidies for European film and broadcasting have been resisted; if he has further satisfied himself that the GATT agreement allows for cultural diversity in all areas of film and broadcasting; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am taking Questions Nos 29, 31 and 53 together.
As the Deputies are aware, I have on more than one occasion stated my commitment to the need for a fostering of cultural diversity. I have striven since taking up office to emphasise this requirement in all cultural enterprises. I have always supported the approach that guarantees for European producers and broadcasters should provide adequate space for European programming on our television screens.
In the development of the European Union's negotiating position in relation to the audiovisual sector in the GATT negotiations, I have put forward the view that the cultural dimension of the audio-visual sector, including film, in Europe has to be recognised and adequately protected. Ireland's position was articulated during the Danish Presidency and developed during the Belgian Presidency of the EU and advanced at all stages of the discussions.
The negotiations are at a delicate stage and must be concluded by midnight tonight. Washington time. I understand that the audiovisual sector will be included in the agreement, but that the European Union will retain complete freedom to pursue its policies in relation of the sector. I must stress that, until the details of the text of the agreement, if concluded, have been studied, I cannot assess its impact on the constituent elements of the Irish audiovisual sector. However, I would be reasonably confident on the basis of the information available to me now that the sector will be adequately protected.