I move:
That Seanad Éireann welcomes the report of the film industry strategic review group and calls on the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands to make a statement.
The report is an exceptionally fine document but that is not surprising, given the membership of the group responsible for it. It is evident that the people who prepared the report brought with them a wealth of experience and a vision for both the film and television industries in Ireland. I compliment them.
It is evident from the report that there have been significant achievements in recent times. Historically, Ireland did not have an indigenous film industry of any significance in terms of over all output or economic impact. However, everybody is aware of the achievements which have taken place in recent years through the leadership of producers and the investment they have been able to attract. What was particularly gratifying about recent developments was the impact they had on the international scene, although I do not wish to overstate it. We are extremely proud of it. It is evident from the many reviews and critiques that many of the films were exceptionally well received.
The report makes an important point which should be taken on board. Virtually every national community in the world wants to have a presence in the film industry, not just for economic purposes but, as the report makes clear, to be able to promote their own cultural identity. I was glad to see that in the report because I made the same point on a number of occasions in the Seanad. I often wondered if it was unfashionable to make that statement but it appears to be well received within the industry. That is not surprising, even in a purely commercial sense.
If one is involved in a competitive field and wishes to make something that will have a unique impact or be a unique attraction, one will not do the same as one's competitor. One will endeavour to do something different. One therefore works on the talents of one's country. These talents include not just acting and production but also scriptwriting. If a person is capable of getting to the heart of something that is indigenous to themselves and is able to portray it in an artistic way, it is amazing the universal message it carries. It also gives one a certain exclusive right to that area. The report is right to state that. It should be borne in mind by film producers that it is not necessary to ape what other countries are doing. We should look at ourselves and, in a professional manner, depict the strengths we have within our identity and culture.
I was disappointed at the RTÉ bashing which took place over the Christmas period. I am not saying there should not be an informed debate about the national broadcasting service but there appeared to be certain hidden agendas involved in the type of debate that took place. I hope I am wrong but it almost seemed orchestrated in the letters columns of the newspapers, newspaper editorials and in the comments of certain commentators. Why did that happen this time and not in any other year? That does not mean there was no criticism of RTÉ in other years. Criticism is healthy and probably helped RTÉ to develop. In this case, however, it was so strong and appeared so orchestrated I was disappointed. It will not help the broadcasting service in the long run, whether they are independent or national. Most people who wished to make a contribution to the development of the broadcasting service, RTÉ, would have been critical at times. Hopefully, we praised when praise was due. That is how it should be.
It must be said that RTÉ has made a major contribution to this country under many head ings. It achieved exceptionally high standards of presentation in television, whether it was in current affairs, drama or art programmes, allowing for the gaps which exist. Major drama series such as "Strumpet City" and "The Year of the French" were exceptionally costly but fine productions and one can name many more such productions by RTÉ. However, eaten bread is soon forgotten. We forget that often RTÉ was the trailblazer when it came to film and television production.
RTÉ should not rest on its laurels and undoubtedly the company will encounter major competition. However, the report points to the need to have RTÉ actively involved in the strategies outlined in the report. That is why I pick out RTÉ for specific mention. It would be wrong to let pass or to accept that what was being said was correct.
Look at the progress Ireland, a small country, has made in theatre, literature and all types of music. It is evident that we are capable of making major progress on the international scene and of making an impact in the international market, although the film industry has not yet reached that stage of development. I understand that output was approximately £123 million but the report states that this can be increased to £500 million. That is big money. If it is to succeed, two props will be required. In the first instance, the report suggests that there must be a partnership between the industry and the State. I support that. Second, we must cultivate the nursery which will provide the talent, whether that is acting, production, directing and so forth. We must provide that nursery. We have to look at education as a whole to ensure that is happening, and that it is not regarded as a hobby to be introduced only when one has finished one's formal education. Young minds should be focused on the career prospects that exist.
An agency like FÁS has an important role to play in this regard. For example, FÁS facilitated a young man who had, probably, an interest in producing little more than home videos initially. He was given the opportunity of doing a course with FÁS and was subsequently taken on board in RTÉ where he was given work experience and an awareness of the industry. It took him out of the local equation and showed him the prospects that were there. FÁS, with Bord Scannán na hÉireann and other State agencies, could be more proactive and not just wait for someone to come to them. Much of what FÁS did in the past is no longer necessary because much of its work has been accomplished. FÁS has provided plenty of training and many people have been able to obtain gainful employment as a result. It could now move into the film industry and be a partner in what is happening.
In addition to providing training and ensuring that young people have the opportunity at least to test the waters and expand their knowledge, we have to consider the economic aspect. Unless we can attract major investors we will always be living to some extent on our last success without knowing specifically how we want the industry to develop. Strategy here is directed towards the provision of infrastructure, which includes finance. That is covered within the tax incentive schemes and so on. In addition we have to instil confidence in the industry. If an industry is developing well and provides more opportunities, more people will be attracted to it, particularly investors. It is likewise in the film industry. We are not talking about a once-off achievement. We are talking about the whole industry.
An interdepartmental government task force would be a start. We need to assess our assets, our talent and successes, identify where the potential is and ensure that we have the infrastructure necessary to exploit that potential in the best sense and to the fullest. A task force would be one way of doing that, and that task force would have to act with a certain urgency. Many task forces we had in the past were highly successful. Task forces established at regional level when industries closed down have had phenomenal success in reversing bad situations and lifting spirits. In this case there is an extra urgency because, even though it is an organic type of industry, tastes are changing, markets are being lost, opportunities are not perhaps being recognised. The only way to approach this is to impose a deadline by which the task force must report and take things from there. The driving force behind this industry is the artists. If the commercial side becomes the dominant consideration, there is a grave danger that art and the input of artists will suffer. They must be central and at the same time have a commercial focus.
Having read through the report, and I have picked out only some points in it, I was particularly impressed by the manner in which it was laid out and the strategies put forward. I was also glad it did not point to the Government or the State, that it had not a begging bowl approach in the hope of gaining benefit from the State coffers, and that there was a realisation that there are many players. I welcome the report and look forward to hearing the Minister's comments.