Liam Lawlor
Question:76 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the current status of the European guarantee fund in support of EU film and television production. [4823/97]
Written Answers. - European Guarantee Fund.
Discussions on the European Commission's proposal for a European guarantee fund to promote cinema and television production recommenced during the Irish Presidency of the EU in the second half of 1996. These discussions had previously been suspended for some time pending receipt of clarification from the Commission of a number of concerns raised by member states.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a compromise proposal drafted and promoted by the Irish Presidency of the EU secured the broad support of a majority of member states at the Council of EU Culture Ministers held on 16 December 1996. As unanimity within the Council is required if a European fund is to be established, the Irish compromise proposal will form the basis for future work which will fall to the Netherlands Presidency of the EU.