There is an old saying that after Cheltenham comes Kilbeggan. It appears we are returning to deal with more bread and butter issues. With the permission of the House, I wish to share time with Senator Boyle.
Film Industry Development.
It is the Cathaoirleach who is charged with providing such permission. In the light of what we have witnessed in recent years, I wonder whether it is wise to grant the Senator permission to share time.
In the spirit of ecumenism and given that the Leas-Chathaoirleach has a pretender to his throne in the form of Senator O'Malley, perhaps he might accede to my request.
I will do so.
I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter which relates to the Kino cinema in Cork — at this point the only independent arthouse cinema located outside Dublin. The cinema is a cultural gem. In the light of the fact that Cork recently enjoyed an extremely successful year as European capital of culture and which was last week voted one of the top destinations to visit by the Lonely Planet guide, it is important that the city should remain at the centre of the arts world.
While we are in a recession, we should not discard our culture or alternative forms of entertainment at the expense of penny-pinching or cost cutting. The fact is that the important cinema in Cork city to which this matter relates is threatened with closure. I am sure Senator Boyle will indicate that the appeal of the Kino stretches beyond Cork city. It is a pivotal venue for the Cork film festival which has just ended. It attracts people to the city and encourages them to view a different type of film.
I call on the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Martin Cullen, and the Arts Council to intervene, either to protect the grant investment or to secure the future of one of the cultural highlights of this city. One should praise Mick Hannigan and all others involved in the Kino project. Without setting Cork against Galway, I would point out that the Solas project in Galway was offered twice as much in grant aid as Cork, €1.5 million. I accept a grant offer of €750,000 was made to the Kino. However, in addition to the €1.5 million it received, the Solas project in Galway was grant aided by the Irish Film Board. What was good for Galway, should also be provided to Cork. In fairness to Mick Hannigan and the others involved, an investment offer for the Kino property is on the table. There is also an offer of capital investment. I know from talking to people that Cork City Council will meet tomorrow with the people involved and there is, I hope, potential for the Kino there.
This motion is a cross-party motion and is not meant to be adversarial. It has been raised to try to protect the Kino and to provide Cork with the vital funding it needs for this project.
I thank Senator Buttimer for sharing time. Members will be aware of the passion both of us, as men from Cork invest in our different views of the world. However, when issues concerning the cultural life of our city are concerned, we do not find ourselves too much in disagreement. Senator Buttimer has already articulated the fact that the Kino cinema is an important part of the arts infrastructure of Cork which has developed over the years, partly through the European year of culture a number of years ago and partly as a result of the Cork International Film Festival, which is one of the longest standing cultural festivals here.
It is important that some degree of State support would be offered to sustain what cannot be seen as an ordinary commercial venture. During the 1980s, during several periods of unemployment, the film festival week offered me some pleasant diversions that economic opportunity did not offer at the time. Cork has developed over the years through programmes like the ACCESS programme which has helped it have facilities such as the Kino. It helps Cork's status also that Lonely Planet commended Cork and I hope we will see it receive many more visitors due to its accolade. On these grounds, I hope the Minister, if not in a position to articulate this evening particular measures that can be offered, will talk with the Minister, Deputy Cullen or other Cabinet members with regard to how their Departments or appropriate State agencies can ensure this important part of Cork cultural life can be maintained and sustained into the future.
Before I make an official reply I would like to say that although I am not familiar with the Kino cinema, I appreciate and respect the cultural contribution of Cork, which was highlighted by it being a European city of culture. My brother who lives and works in Cork has often spoken to me about the Cork film festival and I have benefited over the years from what one might call arthouse cinema in other parts of the country.
I am responding to this debate on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Martin Cullen. He wishes to clarify that responsibility for the operation of non-State sponsored venues, such as the venue in question, does not fall within the remit of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism or any of its agencies.
The House may be interested to know that in 2001, a strategic partnership called the cultural cinema consortium was formed between Bord Scannán na hÉireann — the Irish Film Board — and the Arts Council. The aim of the consortium was to develop arthouse cinema and expand the audience for this art form. The capital funding awarded by the partnership was designed to improve opportunities for regional cinema operators to develop multi-screen operations and to enhance and expand the range of cinema available around Ireland. To date, the consortium has invested in two major capital build programmes. The first, the Light House cinema here in Dublin opened its doors to the public in May 2008 and has a wide and diverse programming schedule. The second, Solas in Galway, commenced in 2008 and has received strong support from Galway City Council and is also funded from the ACCESS programme administered by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.
It is regrettable that any business or venue finds itself in financial difficulty in these difficult times but unfortunately, as I have outlined to the House, there is no Government funding available in this instance.
Given that I am attached to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism as Minister of State, and now that my attention has been drawn to the matter, I will take an interest in it and discuss the matter further with officials and others familiar with the situation. I agree with the general proposition put by Senators Buttimer and Boyle that the loss of such a cinema providing such a service would be a serious blow to the artistic and cultural life of Cork.
I thank the Minister for his personal remarks. It is important that we explore the idea of a non-profit private partnership of some type that will help us retain this cinema. It will not survive without private or public funding. I accept the response the Minister of State has given, but if it can be done in Galway with the Solas project, I see no reason it cannot be done in Cork, particularly with Cork City Council, those involved in the Kino and the Arts Council or the Department to buy into it. I welcome the Minister of State's comments and hope he will take an active part in it.
I thank the Minister for his personal interest. In following through that interest he should be aware there is significant public support for securing a future for the Kino. The degree and level of Government support may not be the traditional type of support. Just showing a personal interest is an important first indication as to how the future of this cinema may be secured.