asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of people employed in the Ardmore Studios; and the number of non-nationals employed there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ardmore Studios.
8.
At present there are 20 persons employed at Ardmore Studios none of whom are non-nationals.
Additional workers may be engaged from time to time on a casual basis for the making of new films. These workers, however, would normally be employed by the film makers concerned and not by the management of Ardmore Studios.
In relation to the reference which the Minister made to film makers, can he say when Ardmore Studios will go into production?
That seems to be a separate question.
It is a separate question but I should like to inform the Deputy that Ardmore Studios has been and is in production.
I should like to ask the Minister if he, in conjuction with his colleague, the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, and the Government, have given any consideration to the movement to Ardmore of the entire RTE set-up at O'Connell Street and Montrose? Such a move in my view has a lot to commend itself.
The Deputy is seeking to broaden the scope of this question.
The Minister has just informed me that Ardmore is in production but can he say what is in production there?
The question deals with the number of people employed there.
It was the Minister who brought up this subject.
When will the Minister be in a position to make a policy statement on this?
In regard to the suggestion that RTE should be moved to Ardmore, this is not contemplated. Broadcasting and film making are separate things. In regard to the name of the film now in the course of production at Ardmore, the Deputy will be aware that the name is frequently decided on afterwards. I do not know the name but I am aware that a very distinguished and world famous film maker is currently working there and I am glad to say that that is so.
In regard to the precise date of an announcement of the details of the situation with the Film Industry Bill and with Ardmore, I am not in a position to make a statement. The Deputy will be aware that it was necessary to move before my thoughts were completed because of the fact that Ardmore Studios were up for sale. If we had not moved then, it might have become a place where houses would be built. That situation developed before I was ready but I am pursuing the matter and I hope within the next few months to be able to clarify the position of the Government on this.