Vol. 502 No. 3
502 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the terms of reference of the Screen Commission of Ireland; the proposals, if any, she has to establish the commission on a statutory basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8114/99]
The primary task of the Screen Commission of Ireland is to market abroad the many attractions of Ireland as a film and television production location. Its specific terms of reference are as follows: to promote Ireland as a film and television production location and centre internationally by marketing the tax advantages and other incentives, the range of facilities, the body of professional crew, actors and creative personnel and, the variety of locations available; to facilitate incoming and indigenous production by providing information from a one stop source by co-ordinating a network of national and regional organisations, commercial, State and State-sponsored, companies and individuals; to encourage the location of international distribution companies, facilities companies, creative and talent agencies and international producers to Ireland on a long-term strategic basis and generally to promote Ireland as a film and television production location internationally to attract film and television production to Ireland, and to co-ordinate and integrate as appropriate the efforts of local bodies with similar objectives. The Screen Commission has been established as a committee of the Irish Film Board under section 16 of the Irish Film Board Act, 1980. The Screen Commission acts autonomously in the performance of its functions under section 16(6) of the Irish Film Board Act, 1980.
