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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Nov 2011

Vol. 746 No. 4

Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed)

Question again proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

Before the sos I referred to the 12 part mini-series, "Titanic: Blood and Steel". This series is produced by Paul Myler for EPOS Films with the Italian DeAngelis group and it will provide approximately 200 jobs for Irish cast and crew. The series will focus on the designing and building of Titanic before its fateful first voyage. The 100-strong cast includes international names such as Neve Campbell, who appeared in “Scream” and “Wild Things”; Chris Noth, who appeared in “Sex and the City” and “The Good Wife”; Kevin Zegers who appeared in “Dawn of the Dead”; Derek Jacobi who appeared in “Gladiator”, along with a strong Irish cast including Liam Cunningham, who appeared in “The Guard” and “The Wind that Shakes the Barley”; Ian McElhinney, who appeared in “Game of Thrones”; Michael McElhatton, who appeared in “Perrier’s Bounty” and “Spin the Bottle”; Martin McCann, who appeared in “Killing Bono”, and many others. This film has an all-star cast and I am confident it will be very successful.

The Irish Film Board incentivises expenditure in the regions of Ireland through regional support funding. From 2006 to 2010, for example, this funding contributed €3 million to 30 productions, with cumulative regional Irish expenditure totalling €18 million. This funding is now awarded based on the number of shoot days in the regional location. Counties that have benefited from hosting Irish Film Board film and television productions in recent years include counties Donegal, Mayo, Clare, Offaly, Galway, Cork and Sligo.

The first Bollywood blockbuster to shoot in Ireland, "Ek Tha Tiger", starring two of Bollywood's biggest stars, was filmed on location in Dublin over five weeks recently. It was estimated that the production contributed €1.5 million to the Irish economy and created more than 1,000 short-term jobs, with many Irish cast and crew involved in the shoot. The film used an abundance of Dublin locations for spectacular dance sequences and stunts. These included Trinity College, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Liffey quays, South King Street, Mount Street, the Shelbourne Hotel, Temple Bar and St. Stephen's Green. The film is to be distributed to 24 countries, thereby providing that images of Ireland and Dublin will be projected on the big screen across the globe, especially to new untapped demographic cohorts such as India's burgeoning middle and upper classes as well as the Indian diaspora throughout the world. This will provide promotional opportunities for Tourism Ireland to exploit Ireland as a tourism destination. According to Fáilte Ireland figures, 20% of all tourists who visited Ireland in 2010 did so because of images of the country they saw on film. This factor has increased considerably in importance. Not long ago only 2% gave this as a reason for visiting.

The Irish Film Board, with Government support, has adopted a strategic approach to meeting these challenges. Through its varied schemes and programmes it aims to assist projects at the earliest stage of development, throughout the pre-production phase and eventually to production and post-production stages. In addition, through its funding of Screen Training Ireland the board addresses the needs of the industry at the entry level, with more than 500 people receiving training in all aspects of the film-making process each year. In this way training supports can be put in place to match the requirements of the market place and render its participants relevant to the sector they want to enter.

This clearly demonstrates a long-term commitment by the Government to the Irish audio-visual industry. The industry is a very important one with substantial levels of employment and significant inward investment. The Irish audio-visual content production sector review, prepared for the Irish Film Board and published in December of 2008, established the 2007 value of the audio-visual production sector in Ireland at over €500 million, with direct employment figures of 6,000. An earlier survey identified that in 1992 direct employment was 1,000. This demonstrates an industry that has grown very significantly and which has the potential to grow even further with the correct nurturing and support.

The significant challenge now is to continue to provide as supportive an environment as is possible. The audio-visual industry is smart in that it combines tradition with the advent of each new technology — it is about tradition, translation and transmission. The sector provides natural alliances between education and culture and is, therefore, uniquely positioned to lead, contribute to and enhance the smart economy. In that regard, I recently published a five-year strategy for the sector, Creative Capital: Building Ireland's Audiovisual Creative Economy.The report arose as a second phase to the Irish audio-visual content production sector review, to which I referred. This report will deliver on issues regarding talent development, convergence, sectoral growth, education and digital opportunities for Ireland, as well as reporting on industry leadership, State agency roles and innovation. It will provide a road map for coming years and will assist in enabling the domestic audio-visual content production sector to develop into an internationally based sector for product and services over the five year period 2011 to 2015 and increase employment levels to 10,000.

Success in recent few years at film festivals and award ceremonies is one measure that confirms that policy in this area is working. The year 2010 was a great one for Irish film-making, with Irish talent picking up awards and nominations and some of the industry's highest accolades. Highlights include the Irish film industry receiving five Academy Award nominations, three of these being for the IFB supported films, "The Secret of Kells", "Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty" and "The Door". In addition, the Irish animator Richard Baneham and his team picked up the Oscar for Best Visual Effects for his work on "Avatar". Other highlights include "All Good Children" being selected for the prestigious directors' fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, "His & Hers" picking up a prize for excellence in cinematography at the Sundance festival and Irish films being selected for some of the world's most renowned festivals including Toronto, Tribeca, Edinburgh and London.

Highlights for home grown production in 2011 include Rebecca Daly's "The Other Side of Sleep", which has been selected for the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival as well as for the directors' fortnight at Cannes in 2011, and Thaddeus O'Sullivan's "Stella Days", starring Martin Sheen. International film productions which filmed in 2010 included the major US feature film, "Haywire", directed by Steven Soderbergh, "Albert Nobbs", selected for the Toronto International Film Festival and starring Glenn Close in what many judge to be an Oscar-worthy performance and Paolo Sorrentino's "This Must Be The Place", starring Sean Penn, which was selected for official competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011.

In tandem with supports for the Irish Film Board, my Department's primary operational role in supporting the film sector scheme relates to the administration of elements of the section 481 tax relief scheme. In 2010 a total of 57 projects — up from 44 projects in 2009 — were approved for funding through section 481, with an Irish spend of €164.65 million. These 57 projects supported substantial employment for crew, cast and extras and had the effect of maintaining and creating jobs in a very difficult climate while at the same time producing a product that will help to sell Ireland abroad.

To date in 2011, a total of 38 projects have been approved for funding with an Irish spend of €78.1 million. Two of the bigger projects are "Astérix and Obélix — God Save Britannia", starring Gérard Dépardieu, and a major television series, "Titanic: Blood and Steel". Although at this stage it looks as if we will not reach the Irish spend of last year, nonetheless the number of projects remains high. It should be pointed out that 2010 was a truly exceptional year.

Section 481 relief has now been extended until the end of 2015. This will assist in giving the sector continuity and certainty for the future and allows projects to proceed in the knowledge that this important underpinning of the industry will be in place for the next four years. In an increasingly competitive international environment, I am glad to state that the board has been able to continue to discharge its vital role of promoting our indigenous film industry and marketing Ireland as a location for international productions. Our cultural and artistic identity as a nation gives us a competitive advantage which must be exploited now more than ever. The benefits of high levels of film and television production in Ireland will include increased international investment in the economy, increased employment in this sector, positive spin-off effects for promoting Ireland as a tourist location and the improvement of Ireland as an industrial location for all aspects of creative endeavours.

I appreciate the co-operation of Deputies in the enactment of this short but important Bill. I commend the Bill to the House.

Deputy Troy has 15 minutes.

I doubt if I will use all my time. I welcome this Bill. It is the first piece of legislation relating to the arts to come before the House since the new Government was formed. I had hoped the Minister's first legislation might be more substantive but nevertheless my party will support this Bill, however technical it may be.

I have a fine monuments Bill coming up shortly that will keep the Deputy working for some months.

Be careful what you wish for.

"Sex and the City".

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Irish Film Board Act 1980, raising the ceiling on the total cumulative amount the IFB can provide to support the production and development of Irish films during the lifetime of the organisation. If this legislation is passed the ceiling will increase from €200 million to €300 million. The current level was set by the Irish Film Board (Amendment) Act 2006 and the board has almost reached that limit. Given the importance of the Irish film industry and its future potential, we will support this increase.

The Irish Film Board was established in 1980. Its objectives are to promote the creative and commercial elements of Irish film-making and film culture to a home and international audience. The board supports film projects through the provision of development funding and it also provides production finance by way of debt equity investment. It encourages the development and training of technical, artistic and production personnel as a means of improving the overall skills proficiency within the industry. It also assists the production and marketing of Irish films within Ireland and abroad, as a means of stimulating an interest in Ireland, Irish culture and Irish film.

I would like to take this opportunity to compliment the Irish Film Board on the great work it has done and is continuing to do. The previous Government understood the benefits of the film industry and supported the industry through section 481 tax reliefs. Those reliefs have helped the Irish Film Board to attract major productions to Ireland. The industry has gained invaluable experience as a result. The industry has consistently demonstrated high quality standards of work. It has earned several prestigious international awards and has developed valuable international connections. The favourable tax environment and the invaluable experience held by Irish film crews are helping to secure a stream of new projects.

Early next year, Danny DeVito will direct his next feature film in Ireland. This was confirmed by the Irish Film Board on 16 September last. The film, which will star Morgan Freeman and Pierce Brosnan, was originally due to start shooting in September 2008 in the US. After meeting the Irish Film Board last May, those making the film have decided to shoot the entire film in Ireland next year. This will give us another opportunity to show ourselves on an international basis. I give full credit to the staff of the Irish Film Board for ensuring that this will happen. The extension of the tax reliefs and enhancements for films until 2015 has helped to consolidate Ireland's international position. This was a most welcome measure in last year's budget in the context of the broad clampdown on tax reliefs. There is huge potential in this relatively young sector. Those involved in it are extremely well educated. Some 90% of them are freelancers under the age of 50, with 59% of them having achieved master's or postgraduate degrees. This compares with just 43% of those involved in the sector in the UK.

Last year, funding of €18.431 million was allocated to the Irish Film Board for 2011. This was in addition to the section 481 film tax relief. We are calling on the Government to maintain this important tax relief, along with the funding that is given to the Irish Film Board. The benefits of film and television production in Ireland are not restricted to job creation in the industry. One of the positive spin-off effects of this activity is that it promotes Ireland as a tourist destination, industrial location and centre of all aspects of creative endeavours. The Minister will be aware that I have suggested that this country should explore the Canadian model in a bid to create further employment in the gaming sector.

The Creative Capital recommendations, which were published recently, are based on the 2008 review of the audiovisual content production industry. The Irish Film Board commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct the review. The main recommendation in the report is that the remit and mandate of the Irish Film Board should be extended to allow it to act as a specialist development agency for the audiovisual industry. The report also recommended that the board should have responsibility for training and talent development. The Irish Film Board and Enterprise Ireland should co-ordinate a development plan for the audiovisual content industry. The plan should be based on the specific experience and expertise of each organisation. The Irish Film Board and IDA Ireland should develop a strategic plan to attract foreign direct investment in the audiovisual content industry. This should not be done at the expense of local companies.

We need to increase the role of the Irish Film Board with regard to the creative and technical skills that are required by the industry. We need to work with the education sector to develop these skills. Currently, the Irish Film Board works with FÁS through Screen Training Ireland. The Irish Film Board should develop strategic partnerships with local broadcasters. The report has made a number of recommendations about the future of the Irish film industry, some of which are positive and warrant further consideration. I hope the Minister will arrange to have this report discussed in the House in the near future, before any decisions are taken. I would like to take this opportunity to convey to the Minister my disappointment about the 2012-16 capital investment framework. It seems there will be a cut of approximately 20% in capital funding for the arts over the course of the framework.

Unfortunately, I inherited that from the previous Government.

This will put at risk thousands of jobs in the arts sector in Gaeltacht regions.

It was all set out for me.

It has caused confusion about funding.

It is the Minister's gig now.

The Government must clarify what it intends to cut. We need to be provided with a detailed breakdown of the proposed cuts in each area. I am sure the Minister will come before the House and let us know.

It is very easy to do that.

As just three lines in the framework document are devoted to this matter, we would like to get a little more detail in the near future.

In light of the importance of the film industry to Ireland, we are happy to support this technical Bill.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this technical Bill, which seeks to raise the ceiling on the total cumulative amount the Irish Film Board can provide to support the production and development of Irish films during the lifetime of the organisation. As this is essential to facilitate the continued operation of the board, I am happy to support it. This debate gives us an opportunity to consider the important role of the board and the audiovisual sector in the social, economic and cultural landscape of Ireland. I commend the Government's systematic approach to assessing the audiovisual industry, which led to the launch of the comprehensive Creative Capital report earlier this year. We are all likely to agree that the audiovisual sector has enormous potential to create meaningful employment, offer successful careers, provide an outlet for fantastic creativity and self-expression and inspire a real sense of pride among the Irish people as a whole.

The Creative Capital report provides a decent analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the industry and a possible blueprint for how the industry might grow and develop over the next five years. I understand that an interdepartmental group is in place to expedite the recommendations of the report. I hope we see some progress on the matter in the near future. It is important that we take a thorough approach to how we manage this sector, measure its relative success and failure, ensure accountability, review and improve. This point applies not only to those groups, organisations and companies that receive funding, but also to the sector as a whole, the State agencies and the Irish Film Board itself. While it will not necessarily always be the main driver, we should not be afraid to measure the return on its investment.

Although there has been large-scale State investment in and subsidisation of this industry, directly and indirectly, over a number of decades, many weaknesses and areas for improvement were identified in the Creative Capital document and other reports, including those drawn up by various consultants and Oireachtas committees. The PricewaterhouseCoopers report highlighted deficiencies in the section 481 tax relief scheme and found it is open to occasional "abuse". It is important that the deficiencies of transparency and competitiveness in this regard are remedied. There is a great deal of goodwill towards this sector. I imagine most people want the industry to go from strength to strength. The Government has a responsibility to ensure the systems, supports and incentives in this area are not exploited by a small number of well-protected interested parties. Some sort of exclusive elite or golden circle should not be created in the industry. Transparency and accountability are needed at every level. This applies to the recruitment and appointments process as much as it does to the funding process. We need to ensure funding is allocated on the basis of merit within a mature and progressive industry.

Future development in the industry should be comparable to the best practice procedures that are applied in other industries. We need to see the audiovisual industry as an industry like many others. We support the ambitious target of doubling the value of the audiovisual market to over €1 billion in the next five years. We want to see it achieved. We want to see a near doubling of direct employment to over 10,000 full-time equivalents and an increase in exports. We want to see an energised and vitalised industry that is at the cornerstone of the Irish creative economy and can compete with the very best internationally. A significant amount of change is needed in the industry to ensure all of this happens. One of the most significant challenges for the sector in the long term is to become part of a new economic landscape where the industry is seen as an attractive option for career progression.

Talent is the central driver of all aspects of this industry. It constitutes the quantum of creative, entrepreneurial and technical people working in the industry. The nurturing of that talent, allied to education and training, are at the core of a successful industry strategy. As part of this, we need to appreciate the rights and responsibilities of employers and the demands on them but we must also ensure that the terms and conditions of employment of all crew are fair and equitable. We need to ensure that appropriate education and training courses are available, including at first, second and third levels. We need to ensure that career and personal development programmes are in place and that work placement and on-the-job training are available and do not amount to some sort of exploitative scheme. Proper certification and structure will be an essential part of this.

This industry has the potential to be a really good story for Ireland. We want to continue to see films such as "Braveheart" and "Saving Private Ryan" being made here as well as international television productions such as "The Tudors" and "Game of Thrones". We also want to see indigenous Irish productions like "My Left Foot" and "The Wind that Shakes the Barley".

Last year we saw the fantastic potential of Irish animation with the "Secret of Kells" and "Granny O'Grimm" receiving international acclaim at the Academy Awards. What was particularly special at that time was the coverage of Ballyfermot College of Further Education where some of the animators had honed their skills. This was a great day for those nominated but also for the industry here and for Ireland as a whole. I am certain it provided inspiration for thousands of students at home. It presented a picture of endless possibilities — the possibility of a viable and sustainable career in this industry and, even more, the possibility of a successful and prosperous one.

To see that potential realised on a more frequent basis, it is essential that there is a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach. It is a much-maligned fact that there are often in-built inefficiencies associated with cross-Department responsibility relating to specific segments of the industry. Miscommunications and delays are far more frequent than desirable. The interdepartmental approach which has been employed by the Government to date is to be commended. It is important that we continue to review and improve this process and measure outcomes in an honest way.

The idea of a co-ordinated approach is just as applicable on a North-South basis as it is on a departmental basis. I read the recent reports into the industry but failed to notice any significant reference to the need for all-Ireland co-operation. I hope this is because such co-operation is taken as an automatic part of our development. It is essential that when we talk of growing the internal market, we talk about the island of Ireland rather than the Twenty-six Counties. To do otherwise is to lower one's expectations by 20% before one even starts.

My colleague and Minister for Arts, Culture and Leisure in the North, Carál Ní Chuilín, is determined to see the development of a strong and vibrant audio visual sector. Some of the successes in the North, such as "Game of Thrones", mirror the successes here. A joined up approach is essential to create efficiencies and maximise potential. I encourage the Minister to progress this matter at the next available opportunity, if not already done.

The continued development of the broadband network, including nationwide high-speed coverage and digitisation of sites and screens, must be key priorities for the audiovisual industry. These policies will be essential for stimulating local demand, increasing global access and ensuring that audiovisual content companies throughout Ireland function efficiently.

Sinn Féin launched its alternative budget yesterday. In it we proposed the investment of €2.5 billion of capital investment necessary for the roll-out of next generation broadband access throughout the State. This would take Ireland to the top of the broadband league and increase our attractiveness for high tech jobs. This is essential not only for those working in animation but right across the board in the audiovisual sector. Failure to achieve this will undoubtedly have an effect on the potential success of job creation and sustainability here. We believe that we could seek substantial investment for this roll-out from the European Investment Bank and should aim for an investment of €1.1 billion, or 44%. The Government should give this serious consideration.

The structure of this industry is fundamental to its future success. There is a responsibility on the Government to ensure that taxpayers' money is well spent, well invested and as far as possible, returns a dividend for the Irish people. Ambitious targets have been set out in the past in this sector and in other sectors. Now more than ever Ireland needs a success story, one that can create jobs, create hope and, in itself, lift the public mood. Go raibh maith agat.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on the Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011. It is an opportunity to discuss the very important issue of the film industry and the urgent need to have quality people on boards like the Irish Film Board, IFB. It is also an opportunity to examine examples of best practice, the urgent need to link the issue with job creation and the huge potential in the area of film and communication and to acknowledge the great work being done and the revenue this produces for the State. This industry provides in the region of 5,500 jobs but I will return to that later.

Last Saturday 18 Members of the Oireachtas, including Deputy Troy and I, were involved in recording for a project which supports Pieta House. Thanks to Deputy Derek Keating, we all had a great day in Ballyfermot College of Further Education recording and filming. I was totally blown away by the college, the staff, the students, the producers, the film crew and by all the great work being done there. The college has approximately 1,500 students learning to go into the film business. It is important to state we have this batch of new young students in Ballyfermot who are winning prizes and are out there in the industry.

We have a lot of talented people and we need to nurture and develop that talent which, in turn, will lead to job creation, again another part of the strategy to get us out of this economic mess. We must be brave, creative and radical. Wanting something to happen is simply not an option. I see the film industry as one of the strategies to get us out of this mess.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Irish Film Board (Amendment) Act 2006 in order to increase the maximum of the aggregate amount of any investments, loans, grants or moneys provided by the board towards the cost of making films and providing training in all aspects of the making of films from €200 million to €300 million. The Bill does not propose any changes to the policy on the Irish film industry but an inter-departmental group is working on the future direction of the Irish film industry based on the recommendations in the Creative Capital report 2011. It does not mean any additional cost to the Exchequer as the IFB budget is set by the Oireachtas each year. Previously, when the primary legislation dealing with the IFB was being amended, the opportunity was taken to consider recent developments in the industry and the operations of the IFB.

The Irish Film Board is a national development agency of the Irish film industry established by the Irish Film Board Act 1980. The general functions of the board, as per section 4 of the 1980 Act, are to assist and encourage the making of films in Ireland and the development of an Irish film industry. That section 4 is relevant in regard to job creation, about which I spoke. We must assist and develop the Irish film industry.

While the board is obliged to have regard for the expression of the national culture through film making, it is also empowered to participate in international collaborative projects. Again, there should be a strong emphasis on our national culture, both from the point of view of culture and tourism. One of the reasons tourists visit Ireland is for the experience — they are certainly not coming for the weather — part of which is our culture, music, language and scenery. That should be linked into the whole debate on this legislation. It is important we work on international projects and I commend those going on currently which are sharing materials and resources.

Section 5 states that the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, make grants to the board to perform its functions out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas. It is important there is an artistic as well as a job creation dimension to these grants. Getting more people employed in the mainstream film industry will make a massive contribution to the tax take.

Sections 6 to 8, inclusive, permit the board to make investments, loans or grants for the making of films and the provision of relevant training. Along with Deputy Troy and other Members, when we recorded a single for Pieta House at last Saturday's recording at the Ballyfermot studios, I saw how large is the number of top-class trained people in the audio-visual industry. All moneys made from the sales of the single will be going directly to that mental health charity. Will the Minister ask the Minister for Finance to reduce the VAT on the single if we make it to the Christmas No. 1 spot, which would increase the moneys going to Pieta House?

Section 10 places a cap on the total level of funding which the board can provide, an important provision. When appointing the board, I urge the Minister not to choose people he knows or who have been involved in a political party. These traditional forms of political patronage can no longer be tolerated in modern Ireland as they only reflect the unethical standards of the past. People with a proven track record in the film industry and who care passionately about it should be appointed. Appointments cannot be made on the basis of another case of jobs for the boys or down to an individual giving €7,000 to the Minister in a donation.

Does the Deputy have a problem with the present board?

This gives the Minister the opportunity to bring in new reforms through a transparent and accountable appointments system, a basic requirement in any democratic society. We need the best people for the film board.

The film board's main objectives are to promote the creative and commercial elements of Irish film-making and film culture to a home and international audience. It supports film projects through the provision of development funding and also provides production finance by way of debt-equity investment.

The "Love-Hate" programme currently on RTE depicts excellently the horror of the drugs crisis and gangland killings that occur in our country. This realistic programme is a wake-up call for everyone. It should be watched by everyone over 18 years of age because it is the reality for many people across Dublin city. Once again, the film industry has an impact on those who may not normally watch news and current affairs programmes by highlighting the horrors of gangland killings associated with cocaine and other drugs.

The film board must also encourage the development and training of technical, artistic and production personnel as a means of improving the overall skills proficiency within the industry. It has achieved this to an international standard over the past six years. I commend all the staff involved in this regard.

Another of the board's objectives is to assist the production and marketing of Irish films in Ireland and abroad as a means of stimulating an interest in Ireland, Irish culture and Irish films. As was seen at the recent global Irish summit in Dublin Castle, many people abroad have Irish connections and are willing to come up with economic recovery ideas. While we may not have the sun, we do have culture and the landscape which provides a different type of holiday. Many tourists who visit here will explain these are the reasons for their visit.

I would like to see more enthusiasm from the Minister on pushing this agenda. I want to see turnover in the audio-visual industry doubled to over €1 billion from its current €500 million.

Deputy Finian McGrath must not have read my report Creative Capital because that is what exactly it sets out to do.

I want the Minister to up his game.

The Deputy is not speaking to the correct Bill but to the original one.

I am talking about the Irish Film Board.

Could the Minister wait until his time at the end of Second Stage to respond to this?

The Minister needs to up his game in developing the audio-visual industry.

Deputy Finian McGrath is being unfair now.

The Minister should also aim higher than 5,000 jobs.

That is exactly what we are aiming to do.

There are many talented people working in Ballyfermot. We should be looking to increase exporting their products.

The Irish audio-visual industry has a strong international reputation with much success at key industry awards including the Oscars, the Emmys and the Golden Globes as well as successes at international festivals such as Cannes, Toronto and Berlin. The Minister needs to up his game. We need to focus on the further development of this industry, which is easily achievable. While I encourage the industry to be creative, artistic and stick to its credentials, it should keep job creation at the top of the agenda too.

I will pass on my report Creative Capital to the Deputy.

The Minister is okay. There is no problem in that.

The Minister will have a chance to reply at the end of Second Stage.

Deputy Finian McGrath will set up his own film business.

The Minister is watching too much of "Sex and the City".

I wish to share time with Deputy Mulherin.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

While the Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill 2011 is technical in nature, it gives us an opportunity to discuss matters of importance to the industry. My great interest in Irish film might spawn from the fact my father worked on "Ryan's Daughter" back in 1969 before I was even a thought in his mind. The economic importance of the film industry is evident in how the location of this film in Dingle and west Kerry rejuvenated the local economy and put Dingle on the worldwide tourism map attracting thousands to the area. Growing up in the late 1980s and early 1990s — a golden era for Irish film — is probably another factor contributing to my personal interest in film. It is good to see the film industry achieve great success. The Minister himself has a deep personal interest in film which I learned from my time spent working with him.

I commend the Minister on the publication of his report, Creative Capital, earlier this year. It sets out a plan to increase the number working in the industry by 5,000 and its annual turnover to €1 billion. It is important that the Minister has a genuine interest in film.

Orson Welles stated: "Create your own visual style ... let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others." That quotation is very appropriate to the Irish film industry. Everyone agrees that Irish people are unique. We have our own unique outlook on the world, our own unique sense of humour and our own unique way of doing things. That is something we must continue to include in Irish film because people internationally are interested in us and it is excellent to see that portrayed on the screen. We have a rich literary and cultural heritage and a fantastic landscape to provide for outstanding cinematography. We have all the raw materials here to build a thriving film industry.

Reference was made to the opportunity to showcase Ireland through film. I mentioned "Ryan's Daughter" earlier but I met an American couple during the summer who were holidaying here because they saw Ireland in a few clips in the film "Marley and Me". Only about five minutes of that film were set in Ireland, yet they saw them and wanted to come here. That highlights the power of film, and we should not underestimate that. As I stated in a debate on tourism earlier in the term, film is an excellent medium for show-casing our country and we must be conscious of that.

The highly grossing films like "The Guard" or "Man about Dog" are important but some other Irish films have gone under the radar in recent years which were also important to the development of the arts here. It is important that the Irish Film Board continues to support those projects as well as the labour intensive projects even though it is widely acknowledged that we must use every opportunity we have to create employment in this country.

In regard to activity in my own constituency and in Kerry, it is encouraging to see the success of local film festivals such as the Kerry Film Festival held recently and the Dingle Film Festival which has been running for the past few years and will be held again on St. Patrick's weekend. These film festivals are an indication of the huge interest in film and it is important that they continue to get support.

I am proud to be a patron of an upcoming feature, "The Island", which is a story of people who had left but returned to the Blasket Islands. That is a project I hope will come to fruition in the coming years. I am very proud to be part of it and I hope support will be given to it.

I commend the Minister's work on this legislation and encourage him to do what he can in the future to continue to build the industry.

I welcome the Bill and the proposal that the ceiling on the amount to be invested in the production and development of Irish film would be increased by €100 million. I welcome also the findings of the audiovisual strategic review steering group and its recommendation that we double the value of the industry to the country, double employment and increase exports. When we talk about film, most people think of Hollywood or something that is mysterious. Considering the opportunities identified in this report, we need a body like the Irish Film Board to interface on our behalf with international markets and with the global economy in terms of the global appetite for film to ensure we can stake our claim to a part of that market.

We all agree that we are creative and that our country is interesting. We have a story to tell and as Irish people we love being creative in various ways. We never say something directly; we always tell it with a story. It is in our nature, so to speak. For that reason we can grow the film industry here in an organic way because we have the raw material.

I refer to my local area because this can be replicated around the country. For years the small village of Tubbercurry, not far from where I live, have had a great tradition of theatre. The year before last a great honour was brought to that town when one of their own people, Dearbhla Walsh, received an Emmy award for her involvement in film. That brought great pride to all of us in our area because she had been nurtured in that film festival and the dedication that goes into that. That is replicated throughout the country in amateur dramatics.

If we move on from that and consider the position around the country, we can see how well equipped the arts is now. It is wonderful to see that. In my town we have opened a state-of-the-art arts centre with a 250 seat theatre. We have done that because there is a wealth of talent available and people need a platform and to be encouraged. Already, youngsters can partake in film-making courses and classes at a fractional cost to what it would cost them privately. That has been encouraged throughout the area.

We hosted the Oska Bright Film Festival of short films and digital media where people with learning disabilities get to partake in the production of small films. That involves companies in the United Kingdom also. We hosted the festival some years ago in Ballina and it was very successful. That allows us in turn to work with experts in the industry including actors and people expert in production, and also people with learning disabilities, to great celebration in our town. That is replicated throughout the country and instead of looking at people who are at the high end of film production and the experts in that regard, the Irish film industry should look to see what is simmering at grass roots level.

One of the weaknesses in the arts overall is that it is not like football or other sports played by teams. Artistic expression can be an individual pursuit. People who work in the arts are dotted around the country and it is a challenge to get them to work together or get involved in the bigger picture or business or marketing or to make money out of their skill because there is not that co-operative effort. I especially welcome arts centres and the emphasis on the arts in recent years. The Irish film industry should and can link in with the efforts being made in arts centres throughout the country and the film festivals to bring to bear their expertise in encouraging the good work already going on.

Another area we should examine is bringing people up who already have some exposure to film, whether it is on the stagecraft side, the production side or the acting side, and that is in our education system. We recognise through physical education and other courses that people need a broader experience in their education than a strictly academic one. The whole area of theatre, production and film, and digital media should be a subject students can learn in their secondary school, and it should be recognised as such if we are serious when we say that this area potentially can create jobs. If we have all this raw material and raw talent to work with we should formalise that and encourage students through courses brought into our education system that recognise that talent.

Overall, it is forward thinking to invest in film. The challenge is to tie it in with what is going on at grass roots level and to bring to bear that benefit to the industry.

There can be no question about supporting this Bill. I understand it is technical legislation, the purpose of which is to raise the ceiling for the amount the Irish Film Board is allowed to spend in its lifetime from €200 million to €300 million because it has almost reached that ceiling. All of us should support this straightforward measure as it will allow the board to continue to function.

No one could disagree with the Minister's comments on the value and importance of the film industry and the need to promote and develop it. While I am not one for blowing national trumpets because all countries have talent and ability, as many speakers noted, Ireland appears to have produced a disproportionate amount of literary talent which has fed into the creative sphere generally and film in particular. One could say the same about theatre. We have produced an impressive array of writers, directors and actors and should be proud of this tradition which we should nurture, develop, expand and invest in irrespective of the economic circumstances. Producing films and art is an end in itself. It does not require economic justification because film and art are good things in themselves. They raise us above the drudgery of daily work, toil and so forth and make life and existence worthwhile. This is what culture is about and there should be no question that we should invest, develop and expand film and art. In so far as the Minister has indicated a desire to do this, he is right and I could not but agree with him.

In the current economic circumstances, it would be foolish not to recognise the economic advantage of developing this area in which we have resources, ability, talent and a reputation. We can and should expand this sector because it has considerable potential to generate employment and, as a number of speakers noted, visitors to the country. In this regard, I will make a passing comment which relates to my earlier point that film and the arts are an end in themselves. We should be a little careful about turning film or art generally into a commodity or means of selling brand Ireland. This is not what motivates our artists, writers and actors. If this type of logic were to drift into the thinking or policy behind Government Departments' approach, it would do an injustice to film and art. Art is not about selling or creating a brand or promoting an international reputation. Handled sensitively and with respect and properly supported and nurtured, however, it will produce economic spin-offs in terms of employment, enhancing the country's reputation globally and attracting people to visit the country because they like what they see in representations of Ireland in film or when they see its artists, writers and actors represented in this arena. All of these things are to be welcomed, as are all the statements that have been made in the House.

While it is one thing to propose raising the expenditure limit for the Irish Film Board on technical grounds, it is another thing for the money to be invested in the sector and that is where the problem lies. We have a large coterie of artists, film-makers, technicians and designers who are at the highest level globally and can stand toe to toe with the best in the world in all the different aspects and areas of film, whether creative or technical or in areas such as production. We also have great landscapes and so forth and the tax incentive schemes have delivered some investment in film and an expansion in film making which has generated jobs and revenue. Notwithstanding these factors, we continue to under-invest in this area despite its considerable potential and talent. A large number of the approximately 6,000 people who are directly employed in the film industry and the many others who participate in the making of films are working for a pittance.

The budget for the Irish Film Board this year, which stands at €16 million, has been cut significantly, although the reduction has not been as bad as some of the other austerity measures imposed elsewhere. Nonetheless, the allocation is significantly lower than it was in 2008, for example. Regardless of whether the Irish Film Board's budget is €16 million or €20 million, we must put it in perspective if we are to understand how little we are investing in this area, which all of us agree is important. This year's allocation is about half the budget of one major Hollywood movie. If we all agree that the Irish film sector has potential and talent and jobs can be created in it, clearly an allocation of €16 million is paltry. Thousands more jobs could be created in the industry.

The Bill's digest notes that while Irish films win awards, they do not do well at the box office. Part of the reason is that we do not invest in a distribution infrastructure and must rely on American distributors and other global players. We are at the bottom of the queue because the money and resources being invested to develop the domestic industry are insufficient. We are completely reliant on foreign cinema capital and the infrastructure of the US and other film industries. As a result, we are not sufficiently developing or promoting our movies, talent and ability. This vast untapped potential can only be realised if the State substantially increases its direct investment in film. To do so would create a win-win scenario from a cultural, economic and employment perspective.

I ask the Minister to comment on an issue that has been raised with me by a number of people in recent days. The individuals who contacted me pointed out that some of our tax incentive schemes amount to tax scams for certain wealthy elements in society as they are essentially a risk free investment on which wealthy people avoid tax. It was also suggested to me that Anglo Irish Bank was up to its neck in lending to companies in this area but is not chasing them up for the moneys owed to the bank, and these same companies are not paying what they owe to technicians and the people who actually make the movies. I would like the Minister to comment on that.

I also welcome this Bill, but I would dispute the assertion that it is a technical Bill, given the economic difficulty the country is in. Under the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, it is welcome that the Government is making such a visible monetary commitment to this industry, which in the past has proven its vital importance to the people of Ireland.

It has been rightly said by many Members that the Irish film industry allows Irish people to celebrate their Irishness. Unlike Deputy Griffin, who is involved in a movie in Kerry, I would not suggest for one second that I have such talents. However, we have a rich history of being at the fore of whatever artistic medium is popular at any given time, whether that is our writers, playwrights, our musicians and those involved in audiovisual productions, including movies.

While I agree with other speakers that the end should be enough — the art in itself is of such vital importance — it is also welcome that the industry provides income to so many people. I welcome the Minister's commitment and his target to allow the industry achieve €1 billion in value. The industry currently employs 6,000 people and in a country as small as Ireland, that is a significant number. I dispute the suggestion that people working in the industry are paid a pittance. One of the great aspects of the industry is the degree to which projects are spread out across the island of Ireland, especially into rural areas, where the magnificent landscape and the traditional welcome Irish people give to visiting crews add to the value that international film makers can get by choosing Ireland as a location.

Reference to the potential monetary value does not diminish the art in itself. That is a matter for the artists, the actors and the people involved in production. Irish people have excelled internationally in the arts, including in film. Allowing that to flourish, especially in the current climate, can have great potential for our economy in the broader sense. We are in a competitive world and Irish people have punched above their weight, especially agencies like the IDA, in attracting companies to invest here. Those involved in the production of films and documentaries are also bound by bottom line issues. If we can encourage and assist them to come here, that is to be welcomed and I compliment the Minister on that.

An industry has also been built up around film festivals. Several Members spoke about film festivals that exist in different parts of the country. The Cork Film Festival is perhaps the original film festival. We also have the biggest Irish French film festival in Cork. There has to be a potential in some of our twin cities around the world where Irish companies and communities could come together to showcase Irish film. We have a different type of product and I know it is of major benefit to the French film industry when they showcase their work in our cities. The Minister should encourage the Irish Film Board to look at a way where we could showcase some of the work that is done by our creative artists, which has great export potential. I commend the Bill.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. While it is a short Bill, it is very important that we allow the Irish Film Board the extra funding that it will give it, with an increase from €200 million to €300 million. That is a significant step and hopefully this money will be used properly to encourage growth in this area.

Given the number of films produced in Ireland over the last few years, it is easy to see that it is a thriving sector. With continued investment, it will continue to thrive. Other films that may not have primarily been set in Ireland but which contained scenes shot here, such as "Braveheart", "Saving Private Ryan" and "King Arthur" all have enjoyed worldwide success. It will do our industry no harm that these international hits used Ireland as a location to film. They would have shown our technical ability and the professionalism within the industry. I welcome the increase in funding to the industry.

There is an artistic side to all this, but we need to figure out how to encourage the industry not only to boost film making, but also to encourage tourism. It is important to look to the future to see how the industry can grow. I understand that the audiovisual review steering group recommends that if continued investment was made, we could see some major gains made in the industry. One of the recommendations states that we can double the value of the industry to over €1 billion. This would lead to an obvious increase in employment, hopefully from the current figure of 6,000 to over 10,000. The sector is valued at €550 million at the moment, representing 3% of gross domestic product and this means it is a key contributor to the Irish economy. Some 85 % of those working in the industry are in the independent sector, while 15% are in broadcasting, and this shows the huge potential for development in the sector.

There are 567 companies in the sector at the moment, and the majority of these are based in Dublin and have been trading for five years or less, which shows that it is an industry in its infancy. There is potential to spread this towards other major centres in the country, such as Galway, Cork or up in the North. A better spread around the country would produce more employment in the years to come. The vast majority of those working in the sector are under the age of 50, with nearly 60% of them educated to degree level. One student from the college in Ballyfermot won an award for his role in "Avatar", which gained worldwide success and which is a fantastic recommendation for that college. It is only one of many colleges that is beginning to recognise the potential in this, such as Blanchardstown IT. I have a friend there currently doing a creative digital media course along with 50 other students. That is a relatively new course and it shows the amount of young people who want to get into the sector and who believe in its potential. Students at the Cluain Mhuire campus in GMIT are also involved in film.

The McCarthy report examined the role of the Irish Film Board and made some recommendations, including merging it with other organisations. There is much in that report that I would not agree with, and considering the investment we are putting into the Irish Film Board, it is important to leave the board on its own, so it can continue to drive the industry and bring people to this country.

I welcome the Bill. It shows that the industry is travelling in a positive direction at the moment. I hope that it continues to go from strength to strength. Not only can it continue to attract people to this country, it can also show us in a positive and businesslike manner. I encourage the Minister to continue to do whatever he can to make this sector as strong as possible as it has the potential to employ an awful lot more people and gain a much stronger reputation throughout the world.

I wish to share my time with Deputy Conaghan, with the agreement of the House.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. Although it is a technical Bill, it will have far-reaching effects for the film and television industry in Ireland. It will also have a good impact on our tourism industry, which I will discuss later.

It is important that we keep funding available for our local film industry so it can continue to produce the high-quality award-winning productions we are famous for the world over. This Bill sends out a positive message to the industry, and the thousands of people employed in it, that we will support it as much as we can in these difficult times. The Government has committed to targeted initiatives to boost job creation. I see this Bill as one of those targeted initiatives. The overall increase in the funding that can be granted by the film board will result in the creation of more jobs; indeed, the previous speaker spoke about a doubling of jobs over the next five years if the correct policies are followed, which is to be welcomed.

The creative industry is an area in which we have expertise and in which growth can take place. The number of college courses producing graduates in media production has been rising steadily over the years, which reflects the industry's importance in our society and its international reputation. As a country, we cannot miss out on the opportunities with which our arts industry provides us to promote ourselves internationally. Television shows and films that are produced here act as large-scale and lengthy tourism advertisements for Ireland. Many films and TV shows have been filmed in my own county of Meath and have helped to promote the county and increase the number of tourists. The Meath Film Commission attracts productions to the county while working with Meath Tourism; it is an example of the tight relationship that exists between the two industries.

Meath can be many things for many different films. Scenes that require an element of Gaelic heritage can be shot, for instance, at Loughcrew or Brú na Bóinne. Trim Castle was used, famously, for the filming of "Braveheart" back in the 1990s, with hundreds of local people employed as extras, which gave a great boost to the local economy. The many beautiful vistas that dominate rural parts of the county can help produce beautiful, romantic backdrops for historical films, including those famously used in the 1975 Stanley Kubrick screen version of the 1944 novel by William Makepeace Thackeray, The Luck of Barry Lyndon. Our infrastructure gives great access to Dublin Airport so it is easy for international crews and tourists to get to the county. The reputation of our country has taken knocks over the past number of years but the positive image that can be portrayed through film and television is one way of re-establishing our credibility on the international scene.

Most recently, we had the production of "The Secret of Kells", which helped to improve our standing by playing upon the mythology of Celtic Ireland. It took many images from the Book of Kells and brought them to life for a new generation. Our Celtic mythology is one of the attractions of our island for many tourists and is a key selling point in the American market. Clips from the film were seen by hundreds of millions of people when it was nominated in the best animated film category at the 2010 Oscars in Los Angeles. That was a fantastic achievement for the creators of the film and the staff who worked on it. Many American tourists in Ireland — indeed, over half — say they choose to come to Ireland for their holidays because of word of mouth. Films such as these help to spread the message to Americans and are key to increasing our tourist numbers.

The messages are getting through: the latest figures from the CSO showed an increase of almost 400,000 people travelling here this year. This produces opportunities for job creation and growth in the tourist industry and the arts industry. I urge the Minister to work closely with his colleague in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to maximise the potential for growth in both industries. We need to exploit all angles to stimulate job growth and I will be doing my best to help the Minister achieve this.

I welcome this Bill, which proposes to raise the cap on the total cumulative amount that can be provided by the Irish Film Board to support the Irish film industry. First, I congratulate the Irish Film Board on the success it has had to date in promoting the film industry and creating jobs. With a relatively small budget, €16 million in 2011, the industry currently employs almost 7,000 people directly and is worth an estimated €557 million to our economy. I also welcome the ambition of the industry and the film board. A recent report, Creative Capital: Building Ireland's Audiovisual Creative Economy, envisages increasing employment to over 10,000 and doubling the value of the industry to over €1 billion.

I would like to make four brief points on aspects of the Irish film industry and why it is important that this Bill is passed. The targets set by the Creative Capital report are very welcome, but equally important is the need to foster the creative capacity of our young people. In this regard, I wish to highlight the success of Ballyfermot College of Further Education in practically reinventing the film animation industry in Ireland. From humble but committed beginnings 25 years ago, this school of film animation has blossomed and is now a centre for the training of world leaders in this genre of film-making. Graduates of Ballyfermot College have formed successful companies such as Brown Bag Films, to name just one. Graduates have also worked on some of the most prestigious animation projects in the world; for example, Richard Baneham, who won an Oscar for his visual effects work on the film "Avatar". It is not always about big money. Sometimes it is just a matter of creating the context and the framework in which young people can discover their creativity and find ways of expressing it. I sat on the board of Ballyfermot College of Further Education for 19 years and I saw a lot of this evolve and develop on a shoestring. It was the creativity and commitment of teachers and students that brought the college to the forefront.

Over the coming years, another opportunity to focus the creative capacity of our young people will arise with the centenary celebrations of the Easter Rising, the 1913 lockout and the Great War. These events are laden with potential for story-telling and image-making. They are also ripe for a fresh interpretation by a new, younger generation. I call on the Government and the Irish Film Board to work together to create a special centenary film bursary for which they can invite young film makers to apply. This will give them the opportunity to tell the many untold stories of the period and commemorate and evoke these important events through fresh eyes.

In order for the film industry to reach the targets set out, it is essential that the skills of our young people match the ambitions of the film board. Currently, 98% of freelance workers in the industry have a formal qualification and 41% continue professional training. The Creative Capital report envisages an increased role for the Irish Film Board with regard to determining the creative and technical skills required by the industry and working with the education sector in the development of those skills. Today's Bill will ensure that the film board is resourced to continue to invest in training and in the colleges that provide the necessary skills to support the industry.

It is important to support the industry in its entirety and identify gaps that may arise. When people think of the film industry, they think of actors, camera operators, directors and producers, but there are a whole host of jobs created out of the limelight. Downstream jobs such as lighting and sound and hidden craft and technical skills such as costume and set design are just as important for our young people, for the industry and for the country. We need to ensure that colleges, particularly those that have already delivered in this area on a shoestring, such as Ballyfermot College of Further Education, Dún Laoghaire College of Further Education and Inchicore College of Further Education, are properly recognised and resourced to train professionals and develop the appropriate crafts and skills.

The success to date of the film and animation industries shows their potential and demonstrates the value of investing properly in education and training, encouraging young people, working with the colleges and thereby enhancing the capacity and potential of our industry.

I wish to share my time with Deputy Áine Collins.

I am grateful to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me the opportunity to speak on this Bill. As other Members have already outlined, it is a technical Bill which is modest in the scope of its provisions, but to my mind it is significant in its potential to bring creative and commercial benefits to Irish culture and the Irish economy.

The legislation does not propose changes to the existing policy, it merely raises the cumulative level of funding available to the Irish Film Board during the lifetime of the organisation. It increases the figure from €200 million to €300 million.

Last week, we witnessed a fine example of the fruits that such an investment can bear. An ambitious television series tracking the development of the Titanic in Belfast received a grant from the Irish Film Board and has already begun filming in Ireland. The film is expected to cost in the region of €22 million and, of this, some €12 million will be spent in the Irish economy on goods and services. This will help to support the 200 jobs created arising from the making of the film in Ireland. Such projects have been brought to our shores as a result of the innovation and hard work of the members of the Irish Film Board. The board regularly provides a considerable boost to our international profile, stimulates people’s interest in visiting our country and provides a boost to the economy in general. The television series is the latest in a plethora of commercial and creative successes that have punctuated the history of the Irish Film Board since it was formed in the early 1980s. Since then it has performed commendably in identifying and nurturing the wealth of indigenous talents from within Ireland’s growing film industry.

One of the first beneficiaries of the Irish Film Board in 1982 was the Oscar-winning director Neil Jordan. He has since emerged as one of the giants of international cinema. Others have secured their big breaks under the auspices of the Irish Film Board before embarking on glittering careers in the industry overseas. The industry represents an area of great potential for Ireland.

Earlier, I listened to the contribution of Deputy Finian McGrath and to my mind some of his comments were disingenuous. He suggested that the Minister should up his game. We are all aware that the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, has already brought together an interdepartmental committee which is considering the recommendations of the Creative Capital report. This is an ambitious report and the Minister's aim is to double the value of the industry to Ireland and to bring it to €1 billion per year within five years and, as others have stated, to increase the numbers employed in the industry from more than 5,000 to more than 10,000 in a five year period. Deputy McGrath should inform himself better before he makes such statements in the House. The Minister, Deputy Deenihan, has a deep, personal interest in the arts and an appreciation of the value of the film industry. He has already acted swiftly to tap into the great potential in the Irish film industry.

It is timely that the Bill should come before the House in the week following the inauguration of my fellow constituent and former colleague, the President, Mr. Michael D. Higgins, to whom the film board and the industry owe a great debt of gratitude for his work in this area over the years. It was the President, Mr. Higgins, who reactivated the Irish Film Board in his role as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht in 1993, some six years after it had been disbanded in 1987. The abolition of the board was a blunt and retrograde act, ignorant of the contribution that the Irish Film Board had made to a labour-intensive industry that has served the country well. The then Minister and now President, Mr. Higgins, upon entering office as Minister, committed to re-establishing the Irish Film Board as part of a highly ambitious programme of cultural promises that were seen by many as over-reaching at the time. While discussing the Bill it is appropriate to acknowledge his marvellous contribution to the arts in general and specifically to the film industry during his time in the Dáil. Expectations are similarity high now following his elevation to new office but I have no doubt he will be equally successful in fulfilling his great promise in his role as President.

I support the Bill and I commend the Minister on his work to date in this area.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill and to thank the Minister for introducing it to the House. This is a necessary and important Bill to ensure the continued growth of the Irish film industry and to attract foreign productions to Ireland. The Irish audiovisual industry is worth €557 million per annum to the Irish economy and has strong growth potential. To achieve this, it is important to raise the ceiling on the cumulative amount the Irish Film Board can provide to support the production and development of Irish films.

The Irish Film Board has had many tangible successes since 1993 when the President, Mr. Higgins, formerly the Minister for Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht, reconstituted the board. I take this opportunity to congratulate our new President and to wish him all the best in his new position.

The board has supported and invested strongly in the Irish film industry between 1993 and 2004 with some notable successes. Board-backed Irish films such as "I Went Down", "The Magdalene Sisters", "Man about Dog" and "Intermission" received critical and commercial success. In 2005, the award winning "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" was shot in Ballyvourney and Timoleague in my home county of Cork. Such international exposure to the beautiful terrain of Cork clearly benefits the tourism industry. Furthermore, these films were internationally acclaimed and received major awards at prominent film festivals. In light of these successes, it is clear that the Irish film industry demonstrates export potential and that further investment will benefit the Irish economy.

The board has been also instrumental in bringing some major international productions to Ireland. During the past 20 years, Ireland has hosted several successful international productions such as "Braveheart", "Saving Private Ryan", "Reign of Fire", "Michael Collins" and the Harry Potter films. The images of Ireland depicted in these films are a significant boost to the Irish tourism industry.

Similarly, the New Zealand tourism industry grew dramatically as a direct result of the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy among its beautiful landscapes. Recently, the board was influential in securing a Bollywood film "Once There Was a Tiger" for Ireland. This is the first time a major Bollywood production has been shot in Ireland and it will be a major boon to the economy. The film used an abundance of Dublin locations such as Trinity College, the Guinness brewery, Henrietta Street, Dublin Castle, the quays and Temple Bar. Tourism Ireland has stated that countries such as Switzerland, Great Britain and New Zealand have reported a significant increase in tourism from India following the filming of Bollywood movies in their regions. Also, these major international productions employ many Irish workers and the skills base of these crews improve considerably. The workers are then available to contribute to and to improve the quality of Irish films.

The board has also supported and invested in the emerging Irish animation industry. Animation has grown in stature in 2011 with award wins and a strong presence at major events and festivals. It is timely to discuss Irish animation today because this week the Encounters Bristol International Film Festival is showcasing new Irish animation talent in partnership with the Irish Film Board. This year the festival highlights the work of Cartoon Saloon and its creative director and co-founder Tom Moore. In 2010, this company received a nomination for best animated feature at the Academy Awards for "The Secret of Kells". The festival hosted a special studio focus on the award-winning company, Brown Bag Films, and its co-founder Cathal Gaffney. I agree with James Hickey, the chief executive of the Irish Film Board, who stated, "The Irish animation industry is a hotbed of talent and creativity, and this special focus at the Animated Encounters Festival will provide a real insight into the diversity of the work being produced in Ireland right now." There is considerable untapped growth potential in this industry and the board's support of the animation industry should be encouraged. The potential is limitless in this field given our highly skilled workforce. Benefits would accrue to the Irish digital gaming industry as well since there is a high demand for people with a cross-over skills set.

My support for the Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill is a no-brainer. Currently, the Irish audiovisual industry is worth €557 million per year and employs approximately 6,000 people. There is vast potential in this sector. The benefits of raising the ceiling of the board's funding are tangible and substantial. First, simply put, the board's work has created jobs. Irish films employ skilled Irish workers and the various large-scale international productions employ large Irish crews. Second, international productions have improved the skills base of Irish workers and this will benefit the Irish film industry in the future. Third, more tax revenue comes into the Exchequer from the production of films in Ireland. Last, but not least, film is a great medium to advertise our wonderful country to the wider world. Tourism will be a major growth sector if the board continues its fine work. I have no hesitation in commending the Bill to the House.

I am delighted to be able to speak on this Bill. I welcome the Bill and I commend the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, on the work he has done. He has shown great interest in film-making. Filmmaking has been a major part of our psyche and has created many jobs over the years. Some speakers have said if one sees an area on film one might decide to visit it, which is good for tourism.

The background of the Bill is to amend the Irish Film Board Act and to increase from €200 million to €300 million the maximum aggregate amount of any investment. The role of the Irish Film Board has been to provide development and production finance for Irish film projects.

Over the years we thought filmmaking did not involve rural Ireland or was not part of the Irish economy. We have become experts at producing many great films. I remember watching "The Virginian" growing up. The father of James Drury was from Boyle. When he rode into battle with the Indians we always said he was one of our own. A year and a half ago he came back to Boyle and got out of his big limousine with his hat on. He was surrounded by a lot of cowboys who happened to be from Boyle. We were honoured to see one of our own coming home.

Boyle is a small town of 2,500 people. Chris O'Dowd, who has starred in "Bridesmaids" and "Gulliver's Travels" is also a native of Boyle and played minor football for Roscommon. I understand he played against the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's team. He is a normal young man who has made it very big in the film industry. We think such people should be from Hollywood but they have not forgotten where they come from. He always returns to Boyle and is very much part of the area.

I am delighted Deputy Collins reminded us of "The Secret of Kells" which received many award nominations. Its producer was Paul Young who is also from Boyle, which is the new Hollywood of western Europe. As a politician, people might say I am one of the best actors to come from the town but I am not paid as much as those people. We are very proud of those who would not ordinarily be involved in the film industry. As a result of the opportunities and finance made available by the Irish Film Board we have film stars in our midst.

Films such as "Saving Private Ryan" and "Braveheart" were able to avail of the expertise of the FCA or the Reserve Defence Force. It was wonderful. We are competing against other countries. When people want to shoot films in Ireland we can rely on all the vestiges of Government and the goodwill of communities. Deputy Griffin is correct. A film such as "Ryan's Daughter" gives an area a profile around the world.

I commend the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, on all the work he has done. He has won five all-Ireland medals. As a Minister, it is good to be able to tell people one is an expert in one's field, such as Gaelic football. It is nice to see that when somebody comes to the country he or she will have the assistance, interest and enthusiasm the Minister has brought to his role. I wish him every success now and in the future.

I would like to pay tribute to the Irish Film Board. It has won recognition for many Irish films, such as "Bloody Sunday", "The General" and "I Went Down". Such films have articulated the lives of Irish people and the various troubles in Ireland. Without the assistance of the Irish Film Board we would be under pressure.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I want to pick up on a theme touched on by Deputy Feighan, namely the variety and quality of films released from Ireland.

A number of speakers have commented on the success of the "The Guard" which stars Brendan Gleeson. We have produced many films of different tones in recent years which have done well. It is a credit to the different people involved in the industry. A film producer who comes to mind is Ken Wardrop. He produced a film which featured women across the midlands speaking about marriage, family life and their experiences. It was a beautifully produced film which got a lot of critical acclaim at home and abroad. It came about through the creativity of Ken Wardrop and the support made available to him by many different organisations in Ireland. I want to recognise the variety and success of people who are working within the industry.

The Minister is aware of the first area on which I wish to focus, namely the future of the Light House Cinema in Smithfield. It is an arthouse cinema which received a substantial amount of funding from the taxpayer recently but due to commercial difficulties it is currently closed. A number of different companies have expressed an interest in taking over the running of the cinema.

I ask the Minister, through his Department, to do all he can to make sure the cinema is reopened in recognition of the contribution made by the taxpayer and the huge value it brought to the northside of Dublin and beyond. I urge that whatever company takes over the running of the cinema, which I hope to see happen, it continues to focus on the kind of films shown by its predecessor. It was recognised and valued by many and its absence is keenly felt.

My second point concerns some of the recommendations of the Creative Capital report. Cathal Gaffney, who is also involved with the Brown Bag Films, was involved in compiling the report. The company has been extraordinarily successful in producing animated films at home and abroad. I visited the company and saw the quality of work it is doing. It is a world leader and is expanding and hiring graduates from Irish colleges as fast as we can produce them. It is the kind of company the Creative Capital report and the organisations involved in the Bill are supporting and need to support in the future.

A particularly relevant point in the report was the need for multiannual budgeting for people who commission projects. Companies need to have the ability to know what kind of support they might receive this year and into the future in order that they can plan their development.

I welcome the Bill and ask the Minister to do what he can about the Light House Cinema and the organisation beside it. It is a complex performance space in Smithfield which continues to need our support to ensure it can continue to provide great art and performance space on the northside of Dublin.

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. Although other speakers have described the Bill as primarily a technical proposal, it nevertheless opens up an opportunity for discussion on this important area not only of economic activity but also of artistic endeavour. The Minister's speech made clear his commitment to continue to foster this important sector for our communities and society in general, to say nothing of the business and economic aspect.

One cannot overstate the vital importance of the audiovisual sector to our country. Several colleagues mentioned that it employs upward of 6,000 people. That level of success is essentially a direct consequence of State support. There is much debate at present on the role of the State and whether it should be involved in fostering commercial activity of one type or another. Some are of the political view that the State should stay out of all of these areas, including the economy. The film and audiovisual industry is a living example of the achievements that can arise from prudent investment through different instruments, whether tax relief, direct funding, attracting outside funding and so on. Much has been achieved in the three decades since the Irish Film Board was set up in 1981.

Several colleagues referred to the towering work of the President, Michael D. Higgins, as Minister with responsibility for this area in the 1990s. It is no harm to acknowledge that others have also made an important contribution, perhaps in different circumstances and in a different context. For example, the former Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, did much to advance our thinking in regard to arts and film. It was under his Government that the film board was established. There are not many opportunities for us to note the positive achievements of some of our predecessors in the Chamber, but that was an important one.

The 1990s saw a veritable flowering of activity in the creative industries, as they are sometimes broadly described. For instance, there was the re-establishment of the film board following its disbandment. More importantly, we saw other agencies, such as RTE, placing the arts at the centre of much of their activity. That decade saw the introduction of the requirement that a certain amount of RTE's funding be set aside to finance independent productions. That was a progressive move. We had the expansion of the tax incentive scheme in 1993 and there was also an EU involvement in the form of the media programme. On top of that we had the establishment of TG4. These were all important elements in the flowering of creativity which took place in the 1990s. The business and employment consequences of that were enormous.

We must take every opportunity we can to encourage Irish talent to make Irish films for an Irish audience. That is what we have sought to do, with considerable success over the years, through the film board. It is vital for the State to extend this type of support wherever we can and in whatever format we can. However, we must also bear in mind that the audiovisual sector is not confined to film. The media world is a noisy and crowded one, encompassing radio, television, mobile media, online content and so on. Not only do we have a proliferation of new products, we also have a proliferation of new formats and new types of media. Sometimes it is difficult to keep up with developments.

The audiovisual sector comprises, among other activities, writing, commercials, corporate video production and audio production. In regard to the latter, there was a time when there was very little independent radio production, but activity in that area has increased substantially in recent years. Digital content production companies have also expanded hugely in recent years. We must be careful not to limit our horizons when considering the audiovisual sector and the types of supports we can potentially make available to it. I have heard colleagues refer to the digital gaming sector, which is perhaps slightly beyond the remit of what is covered in this Bill. However, it is an area of great expansion where people can translate their creative talent into successful businesses which create badly needed jobs.

I hope the recommendations in the Creative Capital report encompass and comprehend all of these new areas of activity. Much has changed since the establishment of the film board, when the audiovisual sector would have been confined almost entirely to film. I support the progressive recommendations of the Creative Capital report, in particular the recommendation that the board's mandate be extended to incorporate a role as specialist development agency for the industry. A recommendation that is particularly dear to my heart is that the board have a responsibility for training and talent development. That is hugely important in this sector. The Minister observed in his speech that something like 70% of the costs of each production go on labour. It is a very labour intensive industry.

If we are to facilitate excellence in the sector, it is vital that we promote training and education in order to encourage young people who have a talent and interest in the area and who wish to improve their expertise and skills. Colleagues referred to Ballyfermot College, which is offering incredibly progressive opportunities for young people to foster their talent. We must work to promote and foster excellence and to provide the opportunity as best we can to encourage and develop talent. Artistic talent is something which inheres in an individual in the first instance, where there is a talent to paint a picture, make a film or write an article or book. The responsibility on Government and society is to do everything we can to foster that inherent ability.

Needless to say, any effort to encourage artistic endeavour will cost money. There was some criticism in this regard; it may have been from Deputy Finian McGrath — one must pay some attention to him every now and then. To criticise the capital programme in regard to the Minister's Department is unfair. If one considers the cuts that have had to be made across the board, the Department has done relatively well in the current context. I am sure the Minister will fight as hard as he can for all of the heads of budget over which he presides. That criticism was unfair when one considers the broader threats facing funding for all Government activities.

The section 481 tax relief scheme is up for review in 2015. I am in favour of its retention but, in common with all other tax expenditures, it must be carefully scrutinised. While the Commission on Taxation supported the continuation of the relief, it pointed out that the Indecon report in 2007 was somewhat sceptical about the overall achievement of the tax reliefs. I do not have time to go into that, but it is a cause for concern. There was considerably less evidence for the success of the tax relief than I expected when I looked at the commission report. On balance we are in a competitive world and need to promote the Irish audiovisual industry. The report of the Commission on Taxation stated: "At the same time, however, we are aware of the competitive international environment which exists in the film industry. Ireland competes with other countries and locations for productions. These include Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, New York, Fiji and Hungary. We also acknowledge the role which the sector plays in supporting a significant number of jobs in the economy. We consider that film relief should be continued." I am delighted with that conclusion, which is correct. However, it will need to be scrutinised just as we need to scrutinise all the other reliefs. I congratulate the Minister on this legislation and wish him well with it.

I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this Bill which will raise the ceiling on the cumulative amount the Irish Film Board can provide to support the production and development of Irish films during the lifetime of the organisation. I welcome the changes in the Bill and look forward to the benefits that these improvements can bring to the wider film and entertainment industry in Ireland.

In 2010 the industry as a whole bucked the employment trend and became a net employment contributor. Furthermore the sector contributed more than €170 million to the Exchequer in 2010. Increasing the level to €300 million will enable the Irish Film Board to assist and encourage film making and the development of a thriving Irish film industry.

Today we have an opportunity to consider and discuss the work nationally and internationally of the Irish Film Board. An important feature of the work of the Irish Film Board is to collaborate on and attract investment for international projects. It is important for us to debate film making here in Ireland and to reflect on from where the Irish Film Board came and where we want it to go. The Irish Film Board was established in 1981 under the Department of Industry and Commerce. Since then it moved to the Department of the Taoiseach and to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. It spent some time in the wilderness between 1987 and 1993. However, that year the Government introduced three pieces of legislation that laid the foundation for the creation of an Irish audiovisual content production industry. The Broadcasting Act was amended to include a requirement for RTE to ring-fence funding for independent production companies, section 481 of the Finance Act was amended to provide a competitive tax incentive for film and television, and Bord Scannán na hÉireann, the Irish Film Board, was reconstituted. Additionally, the availability of EU funds through the MEDIA programme and the establishment of TG4 in the 1990s have all been important steps in the ongoing development of the industry.

Recent growth has led to the strengthening of the Irish audiovisual sector in the Dublin, Wicklow and, more recently, Galway areas. The technological developments that have facilitated the growth of the industry in the Gaeltacht — once considered a remote area — can now facilitate similar growth in other areas of Ireland that have shown an interest in and dedication to developing growth in the Irish film industry.

According to its annual report for 2009, the Irish Film Board's objectives are to promote the creative and commercial elements of Irish film-making and film culture at home and abroad. Film projects are supported through the provision of development funding and production finance via debt-equity investment. An important objective is to encourage the development and training of technical, artistic and production personnel to improve overall skills proficiency in the industry. It is also an objective to assist the production and marketing of Irish films to stimulate an interest in and awareness of Ireland, Irish culture and Irish films.

Evidence of the benefit of the work of the Irish Film Board and the other incentives can be seen when we examine employment levels in the audiovisual industry. The industry encompasses a range of activities including writing, commercials and corporate video production, audio studios and digital content production companies. In 1991, some 694 full-time jobs were recorded. These numbers have increased to 5,440 in 2007.

According to the report, Creative Capital: Building Ireland's Audiovisual Creative Economy, published this year "Creative capital is the intrinsically human ability to create new ideas, new technologies, new business models, new cultural forms and whole new industries". I believe that this little country of ours has creative capital which is the envy of bigger nations. The report identified the strengths and weaknesses of the Irish film industry and made recommendations to Government. It recommended specific policies that will equip the industry to successfully enter the next phase of its growth from a predominantly domestic platform into international markets. It recommended a framework of policies and initiatives for Government that will stimulate growth over a five-year period which would double the value of the Irish audiovisual industry to more than €1 billion; increase direct employment in the industry from 5,440 to more than 10,000; and increase exports of Irish audiovisual production.

It also recommended policies that are achievable, cost neutral, and that maximise the employment potential of the audiovisual content production industry. To develop the industry and build strong companies it has recommended that section 481 to be extended from 2015 to 2020. Concerns were expressed a few years ago about proposals to withdraw section 481 tax relief. I am glad it was extended at that time and I hope it will continue. It also recommended an annual international television co-production fund with high economic return; industry-wide industrial relations consultation with a view to concluding comprehensive agreements, which needs to be done as a matter of urgency; establishing a piracy prevention and policy group; and continuing broadband roll-out and investment in digital sites, which is critical for the regional areas.

A strategic plan concentrating on audiovisual exports should be prepared by the relevant agencies, Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Film Board, Culture Ireland, and the Irish Film Institute, in consultation with the industry. The great work the Irish Film Institute undertakes in the preservation of Irish film and the exposition of international film does not get sufficient recognition. This plan should include metrics to measure cultural exports. The global market is projected to grow at a rate of 30% over the next five years.

It is helpful to acknowledge some facts and figures about the industry. In 2007, the industry had an annual economic value of more than €550 million and sustained more than 500 Irish-owned companies. The Irish Film Board review of the industry has revealed that the audiovisual content sector is valued at €557.3 million. Some 567 companies operate within the sector, comprising production companies, post-production companies and service producers. Most are Dublin based with 85% involved in production including documentary-factual, short-film and film genres. This is something I would like to see addressed. I believe that support for regional film offices would not diminish the industry in Dublin but would enable production companies located regionally to become involved in bigger production. If local interns were taken on when productions are being filmed in the regions then very soon a pool of skilled or semi-skilled people would be built up with the locality benefiting.

In my constituency of Laois-Offaly, I was proud to initiate the formation of the local film commission, FilmOffaly, almost five years ago. An offshoot from this has been OFFIine, a film festival now in its second year. Last month we screened films, delivered workshops on diverse topics relevant to film making and had a 72-hour short film challenge. The benefit to the local economy could be evaluated among other things by the number of bed nights taken up by visiting film-makers and the use of services in the area. I welcome the emergence of similar agencies, including Screen West which emerged last year and Cork Screen Commission which was launched during last week's successful Cork Film Festival.

Who are these film makers? In general they are under 50, with the majority being male. Some 59% are educated to degree level at least and 41% continue in professional training. That is not to say that women are not making films here. Carmel Winters, Maya Derrington, Katie Holly and Nicky Gogan are all making their mark.

There are recommendations which need to be examined on training and talent development. Film Base which is funded by the Arts Council has been providing practical training to graduates over many years introducing a master's degree this year. I have no doubt some mechanism for connecting it with the Irish Film Board could be found. As this training organisation is already in existence, we should use it rather than setting up something else to compete with it.

Relationships with other agencies including Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland could be forged to work with the Irish Film Board to make a plan to attract foreign direct investment balancing the expertise and experience within each organisation. Developing relationships with third level institutions, including Ballyfermot College of Further Education, IADT, DIT and others is important in order for them to deliver courses to provide the skills required in the developing audiovisual and transmedia industries.

Success at the box office is a major challenge for Irish industry and does not reflect the high esteem in which Irish filmmaking is held internationally. Successes and awards received include Academy and Emmy awards, Golden Globes, as well as representation at Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and Berlin film festivals. Our Irish animation talent is now coming to international attention. Since relocation of the Sullivan Bluth studio to America in the 1980s, Irish animation has not featured too frequently. However, this has changed with Cartoon Saloon and Brown Bag Films taking international awards. The Irish Film Board and film makers must be more targeted in marketing Irish films. Overseas distributors and Hollywood films prevent Irish films accessing the screens and succeeding at the box office. I am glad to note "The Guard" recently bucked this trend.

A figure worth mention can be found in the Audiovisual Federation Review 2011 which found that in 2010 film and television productions had a combined budget of approximately €388 million, with €204 million of that spent in the Irish economy. These are figures of which we need to take note. They are not be sniffed at. The benefits of attracting high levels of film and television production in Ireland include increased international investment in the economy, increased employment, positive spin-off effects for promoting Ireland as a tourist location and the improvement of Ireland as an industrial location for all aspects of creative endeavours. Perhaps the Acting Chairman will say when I am out of time.

The Deputy may continue. I am feeling generous.

I wish the Acting Chairman had been here a few minutes ago.

While the changes recommended in the Bill before us today will hopefully lead to larger film and television productions and a stronger industry as a whole, it is essential that industry elements that lie outside the traditional hubs of Dublin, Wicklow and Galway benefit from the increase of activity in the sector. While I am obviously keen to represent the constituents of Laois-Offaly as a priority, these sentiments were recently shared by a national industry report. The Creative Capital report on building Ireland's audiovisual creative economy to which I referred earlier refers to the need for a regional policy to assist local film offices and digital industry initiatives develop in a co-ordinated manner and to ensure that regional and national policies for the industry are aligned. It also recommends that small, niche content companies and content creators driven by innovation and creativity be protected and developed. We have many such small companies throughout the country.

In an age where new technology can facilitate job creation, media creation and information sharing, it is essential that it and the subsequent industry investment can, where the skills and facilities exist, enable storytellers from all over Ireland to tell their stories in their own way and in their own place.

I thank the 16 Members who contributed to the Second Stage debate on this Bill. Rarely is there so much interest in any Bill. That so many contributed is a sign of the huge interest in the film and audiovisual industry in this country. I thank Deputies Troy and McLellan, the spokespersons on arts for Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin respectively, for their attendance for the full debate. I thank Deputies Finian McGrath, Griffin, Mulherin, Boyd Barrett, Murphy, Connaughton, Hannigan, Conaghan, Walsh, Collins, Feighan, Donohoe, White and Corcoran-Kennedy, all of whom made good contributions and were obviously well briefed.

I will now respond to some of the issues raised. Deputy Troy raised the issue of the public capital framework and asked about the exact allocation for the Irish Film Board within the envelope available to me. Obviously, that information will be announced when the Estimates are published in a few weeks time. Deputy McLellan made a number of points. I thank her for her recognition of the Creative Capital report and her acknowledgement of the implementation body which is currently trying to put in place the various recommendations made. The report was important and was commissioned by the previous Government. However, as important is implementation of the report. The implementation group has met on three occasions. I hope to have a report from the group prior to Christmas.

Deputy McLellan also referred to North-South co-operation. I agree that this is an area wherein there can be huge co-operation. This is to some extent happening already. Two immediate examples in this regard are Cinemobile and Cinemagic. Also, filming of "Good Vibrations", which was co-funded by the Irish Film Board and Northern Ireland Screen has just been completed. I agree with Deputy McLellan that access to broadband is important in the digital age and that we must invest heavily if we are to obtain quality transmission. As I stated at the commencement of this debate we are well able to translate but do not transmit too well.

Deputy Finian McGrath asked about appointees to the current Irish Film Board. I did not appoint the current board but I understand it is an effective and good board. When I get the opportunity of appointing a new board in 2013 I will appoint the best people for the job, as I have done in respect of any appointments I have made. I do not make appointments based on political affiliation, rather they are based on ability to do the job. Deputy McGrath also called on me to "up my game". I will be promoting the film industry in Silicon Valley next March. No doubt Deputy McGrath will be the first to raise issues around the cost of the trip and so on. The Deputy gave a good presentation of the 1980 Act, which is 30 years behind time.

Like other speakers, Deputy Griffin referred to the connection between film and tourism. There are a number of film festivals throughout the country. There are three film festivals in Kerry, including the Kerry, Dingle and Waterville film festivals, all of which are important. I visited Cork last Sunday week at which time I launched the Cork film festival. There were approximately 800 people in the Cork Opera House and there was a great atmosphere there. A large number of people travelled to the festival from Europe and America and many of the entrants came from Europe, America and beyond. It was very successful.

I am aware that Deputy Griffin is involved in "The Island", a film located in the Blasket Islands. It is very exciting. The Deputy referred to the impact of "Ryan's Daughter" on Kerry. It put west Kerry on the map. Deputy Mulherin referred to Dearbhla Walsh whose Emmy Award for cinematography in "The Tudors" should be recognised by all of us. It was a remarkable achievement. Ms Walsh has helped to put Irish film and animation on the map. I agree with Deputy Mulherin's remarks in regard to the connection between local areas and film making. For example some of our most successful films in this country include "The Field", which was based on a local issue, "The Quiet Man", which was based on an individual from north Kerry, Paddy Bawn Enright, although his name was changed for the film and "My Left Foot" which is also local. I acknowledge the importance of recognising local stories and of their conversion or translation into film. I also acknowledge the connection between education, film production and digital media.

Deputy Boyd Barrett stated that we appear to have produced a disproportionate amount of literary talent. I believe we punch above our weight in terms of the number of creative people we have in this country.

Section 481 was referred to. Tax foregone in 2010 was approximately €50 million. However, the benefits we have received are huge in comparison to that amount. Section 481 is similar to our corporation tax rate of 12.5% because the provisions in this section are what brings film production to Ireland. One of the reasons the series "Titanic: Blood and Steel" is being shot here and not in Northern Ireland is probably due to section 481 and the availability of funding. It is important this section is preserved. The provision may have been abused in the past but the regulations have been tightened considerably. Deputy Boyd Barrett referred to Anglo Irish Bank but I am not aware of any such abuse or circumstances of the kind to which he referred. I suggest he write to the chairman of the bank if he wishes to have further information.

Deputy Connaughton mentioned the reference in the McCarthy report to the Irish Film Board. Fortunately for the Irish Film Board, it is no longer on a list so it will survive. A list will be published tomorrow and it is only right that the film board is not on that list.

Deputy Halligan referred to our international tourism reputation which was also mentioned by a number of speakers and how his county of Meath has benefited. Deputy Conaghan raised a number of important issues. He referred to Brown Bag Productions and to Jam. I note his reference to the 1916 centenary celebrations. I am the chairman of the Oireachtas centenary group and, as he suggested, I will seek out its ideas on how the 1916 Commemoration and the anniversary of the War of Independence can be celebrated by means of film and documentaries. The Titanic anniversary falls within this period and the series is a good start. I refer to the success of “The Wind that Shakes the Barley” at Cannes in 2006. Its success shows that we have some very interesting subjects for film and that we as a country are now mature enough to be able to look at both sides of the argument as regards the Civil War. I can think of many individuals who would be very suitable subjects for documentaries or films.

Deputy Walsh made reference to the film "Braveheart" and to President Michael D. Higgins. This gives me the opportunity to recognise his contribution in this area. The production of the film "Braveheart" would not have happened in Ireland without Michael D. Higgins. As the then Minister, he organised for the Defence Forces to be involved in the filming. He provided every encouragement to the production company in order to have that film produced in Ireland. As a result, the United Kingdom changed its system of incentives for film-making because the incentives in Ireland were regarded as working very well. His general support of the film industry was critical in the formative period of the industry.

Deputy Áine Collins made a number of very good points. She mentioned how the film, "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" was made in her area and she recalled its importance for the area which included a boost for the tourism industry. She referred to the Bristol festival which is a showcase for the industry.

Deputy Feighan highlighted the significant connection between Boyle and film-making. There are very few towns in the country that could boast of connections with Chris O'Dowd, James Drury or Paul Young. I expect a proposal from Deputy Feighan for a Boyle film festival very shortly——

The Minister should not forget Maureen O'Sullivan.

Of course, she is another one. There is an excellent basis in Boyle for a very good film festival and it already has one of the better arts festivals in the country. I performed the opening ceremony this year and I was very impressed.

Deputy Donohoe mentioned the Light House Cinema. Some progress has been made in efforts to re-open it and it is hoped there will be developments. He also referred to the animation sector and Cathal Gaffney who is the managing director of Brown Bag Productions, a very successful company. He was also involved in the creation and production of the Creative Capital report, to which he devoted months of his time.

State support is vital to the film industry as the indigenous industry would not be able to survive without it. Section 481 and investment by the Irish Film Board are critical to the development of the Irish film industry. The return is very obvious and every euro expended brings a return of €10. The benefits to the country from the film industry and film production have not been fully measured and many are intangible.

I refer to the important contribution to the training and education of film-makers made by colleges such as Ballyfermot. When I was in opposition we all worked together with regard to section 481 to have it extended to 2015. Agreement was reached between all the spokespersons and the Minister to extend the section to 2015. This is one area in which politics benefited everybody.

Deputy Corcoran Kennedy referred to the Irish Film Institute which has done excellent work. A very important film archive is not stored in the best conditions and new storage is required. As a result of collaboration between NUI Maynooth and the Irish Film Institute, it is hoped that proper storage will be provided in the right environment to ensure this valuable archive of film shot in this country will be preserved for the future.

Last week I launched a DVD of all the all-Ireland finals from 1947 to 1959. These were filmed by an American company. In 1947, when Kerry played Cavan in New York, the president of the GAA had the vision to ask an American film company to film the final in New York and this company filmed the all-Ireland finals up to when the national television service was established. This is a very interesting and important recording from the point of view of social history. It shows people going to the matches, how they dressed and the films show how the game has evolved in terms of athleticism. I was pleased to be in a position to give €120,000 towards the cost of this purpose-built archive in Maynooth.

I thank the Acting Chairman and all those who contributed and listened to the debate. I welcome all the contributions and thank the Deputies for remaining in the House. This is an area where there is general agreement. We should all be very proud of our film industry and be supportive of the initiatives being taken at present, in particular by the Irish Film Board.

As it is now 7 p.m. I must put the question, "That the Bill be now read a Second Time".

Question put and agreed to.
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