Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 May 2013
242. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the recent publication of the 2011 annual report and accounts of the Irish Film Board, if he will provide his assessment of the performance and governance of the IFB. [21182/13]
View answer243. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the recent publication of the 2011 annual report and accounts of the Irish Film Board, if he will confirm the average salary paid to staff in 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21183/13]
View answer244. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the recent publication of the 2011 annual report and accounts of the Irish Film Board, if he is concerned at the volume of lending provided by the IFB to its board members. [21184/13]
View answer245. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the recent publication of the 2011 annual report and accounts of the Irish Film Board, if he is concerned at any of the expenses incurred. [21185/13]
View answer246. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the recent publication of the 2011 annual report and accounts of the Irish Film Board, if he will provide an assessment of the relevant skills and experience of the new chairman of the IFB who he recently appointed (details supplied). [21186/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 to 246, inclusive, together.
As can be seen in its Annual Report and Accounts, the Irish Film Board has a successful year in 2011. The Irish film industry continued to build on its excellent international reputation garnering significant recognition and acclaim as new Irish features were selected for major international festivals and Irish talent picked up awards and received nominations for some of the industry’s highest accolades.
Highlights included the Irish short film THE CRUSH that became the 7th Academy Award nominated Irish short since 2002, Irish projects were selected for some of the world’s most renowned festivals including Berlin, Sundance, Toronto, Tribeca and Cannes where Rebecca Daly’s debut feature THE OTHER SIDE OF SLEEP was selected for the prestigious Directors Fortnight and THIS MUST BE THE PLACE was in official competition.
THE GUARD had an extraordinary year. Following its world premiere at Sundance, it was selected for numerous prestigious festivals including Berlin, Edinburgh and Tribeca and was phenomenally well received when it was released in Irish cinemas. It became the most successful independent Irish film in Irish box office history.
The Irish Film Board (IFB) is a statutorily independent agency. The allocation of support to projects, its staffing arrangements, expenses and other arrangements are matters for the IFB itself. In fact, details of the IFB's recusal policies for dealing with applications by members of the Board for project support are provided the annual report itself.
On 23 April last, Mr Bill O'Herlihy, Chairman Designate of The Irish Film Board gave evidence before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht in relation to his vision and strategy for the Irish Film Board. Mr O'Herlihy made a lengthy statement to the committee and answered all questions put to him by the members of the Joint Committee in a frank and forthright manner and to their satisfaction.
