Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2004
186 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to visit the US to meet with officials of the major film companies; when the visit is planned; the companies he will meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28407/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI intend to visit the United States early in 2005 to meet with key players in the film industry there, in order to promote Ireland as a location for film production. Details have not been decided as yet but decisions regarding the nature and content of the visit will be taken in close consultation with the Irish Film Board.
187 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the funding allocated for the development of home based film productions in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28408/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Film Board, funded by my Department but independent of it on an operational basis, is responsible on a day to day basis for promoting the Irish film sector. The amounts made available to the board for the support of film projects over the past three years were as follows: 2002 —€12.265 million; 2003 —€10.768 million; and 2004 —€11.845 million.
188 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the discussions he has had in the past six months with his EU counterparts regarding the development of the film industry in the EU; the proposals resulting from such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28409/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI chaired the European Union Council formation on education, youth and culture on 27 May 2004. At that meeting there was an exchange of views on the relevant elements of a communication from the Commission, Making Citizenship Work: fostering European culture and diversity through programmes for youth, culture, audiovisual and civic participation.
Since then, the Commission has presented a proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning a new programme of support for the European audiovisual sector for 2007 to 2013. The audiovisual working group, which operates under the auspices of the Council of Ministers of Education, Youth and Culture, including the audiovisual area, has been discussing this proposal. Under the Dutch Presidency since July this year, five meetings of this group have been held. This proposal will be discussed at the forthcoming ministerial Council of 16 November.
