Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018
70. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to set up a new film industry forum that will bring together all stakeholders in the industry to meet and work together to address areas of concern in the industry and to develop mutually beneficial solutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39844/18]
View answerReferring to my earlier replies today, I thanked the members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for the work undertaken to produce its Report on the Development and Working Conditions in the Irish Film Industry. I noted that the Report was launched just a few weeks after the Government published its Audiovisual Action Plan and that there was a great deal of shared vision between the Oireachtas Report and Government Plan. As I also mentioned, the Oireachtas Report was discussed at the second meeting of the Audiovisual industry steering group which met last week.
I have noted that one of the 11 Recommendations of the Oireachtas Report called "on the Irish Film Board to constitute the Board’s Film Forum, with an independent Chair, in order to allow all stakeholders within the sector to meet and work together to develop mutually beneficial solutions for the industry."
Screen Ireland, which is the new name of the Irish Film Board, is the national development agency for Irish film making and the Irish film, television and animation industry. Its statutory remit is to assist and encourage the making of film in the State and the development of a film industry in Ireland. Screen Ireland supports these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects.
In addition to the discussions at the Audiovisual steering group officials from my Department have had discussions with Screen Ireland, on the recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee around the issue of a Forum. Screen Ireland is giving consideration as to how best to give effect to this recommendation and a further announcement in this regard will be made shortly. The Deputy may be interested to know that I have also arranged to meet with Screen Ireland shortly and the issue of a Forum as proposed by the Oireachtas Committee will form part of our discussions.
I should just say that I am satisfied that the industry in general works to a high standards. My my Department will work with all partners to ensure that all sectors of the industry comply with their obligations and that everyone in the industry works in a respectful environment and supportive environment as that is the best way of ensuring the continued growth and success of the industry in the interests of all workers engaged within it.
