Vol. 464 No. 5
71 Mr. Gallagher (Donegal South West) asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he has satisfied himself that Ireland is effectively and proportionally represented on the decision-making bodies which are established to allocate MEDIA II EU funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8425/96]
I am satisfied that Ireland has the same level of representation on the key management committee for the EU Media II Programme 1996-2000 as other member states and that we are effectively and proportionally represented on this committee. Ireland's representation on the management committee comprises an official of my Department and a member of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board.
In addition to the management committee, it has been decided to establish a jury procedure, made up of industry practitioners and drawn from the member states of the Union, which will advise the European Commission in the selection of projects for support under the programme.
It has been decided that juries will not be standing committees but will be selected by the Commission for each task from national nominees and it is envisaged that there will be five or six members in each case. While Ireland or indeed the other member states are not assured of representation on every jury, a commitment has been obtained from the Commission that there will be an equitable balance of geographical representation as between large and small member states of the Union in the composition of juries.
