asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that on Friday, 28th May, 1971, Henry Street, Dublin, was blocked off to facilitate the operation of a film unit; that normal trading in the vicinity was disrupted; and that local traders suffered losses; if the Garda were asked to co-operate in blocking off the street; why local shopkeepers and traders were not consulted; and if he will ensure that similar action is not taken in future unless local traders are first consulted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Film Unit Operations.
34.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the street was not blocked-off by or with the consent of the Garda Síochána and, as far as they are aware, it was not blocked off at all.
The facts, as far as the Garda Síochána are aware, are that filming went on for only a very short time, that it was causing no traffic obstruction worth mentioning and that it was discontinued because of protests by local traders who threatened to block the street with their cars.
The Garda had been told beforehand of the proposed filming. It would have been inappropriate for the Garda Síochána to consult local traders about what a film company proposed to do on the public street just as it would be inappropriate for them to do so if a television camera crew wanted to film something on the public street.
While the Minister may be correct in saying that the street was not physically blocked off, may I inform him that two messengers belonging to traders in this street were stopped by members of the crew and were only allowed through when they satisfied those people that they were messengers belonging to traders in the street. Is the Minister aware that, when the local Garda were contacted by the traders, they informed them that this was the first they had heard of it? The only Garda who were aware of this were the traffic Garda? Is he also aware that, although he said filming lasted for a very short time only, filming only stopped when the traders decided that they would take the law into their own hands and block off the street? Is he further aware that this is not the first time this has occurred at a weekend and seriously disrupted the traders and the ordinary public? Heavy cables were laid along the street and people could only get into business premises with considerable difficulty on that day?
The facts appear to be that the Garda were informed beforehand. In fact, there was a member of the Garda there all the time. The distinction which the Deputy makes between what he calls the local Garda and the traffic police is hardly valid because they are all members of the one Force. The general question of filming in this street or, indeed, in any other public place in the country, is a difficult one. It has been the view not only of myself and my predecessors but that of other Ministers who were consulted about this that, in general, it is to the benefit of this country if foreign film crews come here to make films. If they are not causing serious obstruction, the Garda, when they are consulted, try to facilitate film crews because these films are to the overall benefit of the country.
I personally consulted 20 traders in that street and they all said very definitely that not only on this occasion but on a previous occasion they suffered grievous financial loss. They very much resent the insinuation by the Minister in reply to a question about the previous incident that some of the traders had made financial arrangements.
They do not say it is untrue.
This is why they were brought to the point of bringing out their own cars. When they threatened to do this, then and only then, did the film crew cease their operations. Why should a film unit be facilitated in blocking off 20 to 25 parking meters in Henry Street and also be allowed to use power and get a mains connection to the Post Office?
They are entitled to that if they can make those arrangements. The Garda have no responsibility in this matter at all. I want to reply to the allegation by Deputy Belton that serious financial loss was suffered by the traders. This is unlikely in view of the fact that operations began at 8 o'clock in the morning and ended about 9 o'clock in the morning. Henry Street may be an early morning street, but I do not think it is so early that they would suffer serious financial loss at that time.
I can assure the Minister that I was there until 11 o'clock and the cables had not then been lifted and the street was in a state of chaos. The Minister can consult with the Inspector of the Garda for the area. I spoke to him and he was not aware of this filming until he got a complaint from the traders in Moore Street.
Since film units are not welcome in Dublin, when he gets the next application would the Minister use his good offices to send them along to West. Cork. They would be very welcome there
That is a separate question.
We would be delighted to have them in Limerick, too.
I must agree with the Minister's point of view that it is useful to have films made of our towns and cities. Send them down to West Cork the next time.
Certainly.