Film Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2023

Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Questions (126)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

126. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will agree to include the Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Act 2007 and the EU copyright directive among the specifically listed relevant legislation to which production companies must comply on the statement they must sign in order to obtain a cultural certificate for section 481 relief; if she will make the provision of a cultural certificate for section 481 relief contingent on a further assurance, as part of the industry development test, that Irish performers will not be subject to lesser terms and conditions regarding their intellectual property rights in comparison with international performers in similar roles when employed on the same project receiving section 481 relief, in line with recommendations 7 and 8 of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight report on section 481 tax relief; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43031/23]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Section 481 tax relief is a vital part of the financial infrastructure of the Irish audiovisual industry. The objectives of the relief are to act as a stimulus to the Irish audiovisual industry in the State, creating quality employment opportunities, upskilling workers across the industry, supporting the production of new audiovisual programming across areas of Irish culture and language.

The report of the Budgetary Oversight Committee on Section 481 – Film Tax Credit contains 14 recommendations. Recommendations 7 and 8 relate to Intellectual Property Rights and Copyright matters. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has responsibility for these issues and his Department is responsible for the transposition of the EU Copyright Directive. Officials from my Department have engaged with the other Departments that have responsibility for various aspects of the Report of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight on Section 481 Film Tax Credit.

Independently, Screen Ireland, the State Body with responsibility for the development of the Irish audiovisual industry, has retained an independent facilitator to meet with key stakeholders to understand and discuss issues that have arisen as a result of and since the transposition into Irish law of the EU Copyright Directive. Stakeholder meetings have been held over recent months and the next phase of the process will involve further engagement with relevant stakeholders.