Vol. 514 No. 4
4 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the progress, if any, made with regard to the promised establishment of a formal system to ensure that a proportion of any profits of the Messiah XXI production company, which received a substantial grant from the National Millennium Committee, should go directly to a charity or charitable trust. [1437/00]
Messiah XXI Productions Limited, in line with the original proposal to the National Millennium Committee, has pledged a percentage of any net after tax profits to Irish charities.
On December 8, 1999 it was agreed in writing with the millennium committee that this amount will be 10% annually up to £700,000 – equivalent to the original award made to Messiah XXI Productions by the National Millennium Committee. Thereafter the promoters pledge to continue their support for Irish charities.
It was also agreed in writing by Messiah XXI Productions and the millennium committee that structures to give effect to this arrangement would be formulated. Discussions have subsequently taken place and a situation has been reached where contractual letters of agreement are being exchanged.
These letters specify that the amount to be donated to charities should be 10% annually of net after tax profits up to £700,000; that an audit should be carried out annually of the accounts of Messiah XXI Productions Ltd; that decisions on the Irish charities that may benefit from the donations should be agreed between the National Millennium Committee and Messiah XXI Productions Ltd., and that provision should be made for a continuation of the agreement after the term of the National Millennium Committee expires.
It was my colleague, Deputy Michael D. Higgins, who first raised this issue. Have there been any sales of the television production which was broadcast here? Have preliminary accounts been received by the Minister of State's Department in respect of the first effective trading year of the Messiah XXI production? Has the charitable trust referred to been established and registered?
I have sought information about sales of the production but I do not have a detailed answer, it is still early days. The production took place in December and it is only February. However, I have asked the company how sales are going. I am told they are making a big effort in a part of the US that appreciates this type of performance, but I do not have any figures at this stage. While I do not have accounts for the company, I have a written agreement that they will be produced. We are not yet at the end of year one, so perhaps it would be inappropriate to demand them.
Some indicative figures might be of use. Has the Minister of State any information?
I do not know how the company's sales are doing. I have sought the information and thus far I have been told it is making a big effort in the US. That is where the matter rests. However, I am very anxious about this and am determined to stay on top of it.
On the question of charitable trusts, we have not finalised a decision to establish a legal trust. It was more a contractual legal agreement between the company and the committee and its successor that the funds would be awarded to charities in a certain rather than through a specific charitable trust. I agree with the Deputy that before distributing anything to charity, the first task is to ascertain how the company is doing. As soon as I have that information I will convey it to him.
The National Millennium Committee stays in being. We have a number of projects to complete and oversee and a small amount of money still has to be allocated. I take this opportunity to thank the members and the staff of the committee who worked long hours and presented for Ireland a balanced celebration and a range of projects we will be proud to remember.
I understand that at this stage it is probably premature to establish a distinct separate charitable trust because we do not know if there will be money to distribute. When replying to an Adjournment matter on 7 December 1999, the Minister of State indicated that the money would be distributed among charitable purposes or to a specially dedicated trust. We must wait to see what the artistic market says about this production.
If the moneys generated do not warrant the establishment of an individual specially dedicated trust, will the Minister of State consider making available whatever disposable income is generated from the surplus to support the pensions or incomes of ageing or disabled performers and cultural artists and activists? For reasons of labour market uncertainty this category of people has not ever had adequate pension provision and many of them are uninsured. They have given wonderful entertainment and inspiration to countless generations of Irish people, yet many of them face penury.
That is correct.
A floor should be put between them and the poverty they face. While this is a matter for the Minster of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands – I prefer the old title of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht because it is more succinct and relevant – will the Minister of State ensure that consideration is given to this?
I share those concerns and I do not have any problem with the principle. I will convey the Deputy's views to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. While the sums involved from the source under consideration may not make it worthwhile, I will consider the Deputy's request.
