Dáil Debates - By Topic

[Oral Answers]...her plans to increase the participation of women in projects funded by the Irish Film Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 39 to Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht ]

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[Questions] The question follows on from points I raised when the House first debated the Irish Film Board (Amendment) Act last year. I raised the increased level of participation in projects funded by the IFB at the time, however the increases appear uneven. Will the Minister outline the actions ...

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[Questions] The IFB was renamed Screen Ireland in 2018. Screen Ireland is the national development agency for Irish film making and the Irish film, television and animation industry. Its statutory remit is to assist and encourage the making of film in the State and the development of a film indust...

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[Questions] There has been a particularly high number of female protagonists and producers in Irish film in recent years. In 2017, seven out of ten Irish films had female protagonists. It is something of which we can be proud. The monitoring by Fís Éireann has been valuable and Screen Ireland has...

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[Oral Answers]...if she will provide an update on her plans to grow the Irish Film industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 7 to Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht ]

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[Questions] I appreciate that the Deputy acknowledges that seven of ten Irish films had a female protagonist, of which we are justly proud. She is correct that we cannot rest on our laurels and I will support Screen Ireland's work in proactively seeking to increase the number of female directors, i...

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[Questions] This question concerns the Irish film industry and what plans and measures the Minister's Department has in place to grow it. I note that in the Action Plan for Jobs there are three relevant action points in this respect, and that action point 173 in particular talks about increasing th...

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[Questions] Is Screen Ireland on track to achieve gender parity in the industry by 2020? Can the Minister provide a detailed update on the action points contained in the 2016-20 strategic plan? Does she believe there is adequate funding to achieve the goal? On several occasions, she has mentioned...

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[Questions] I thank the Deputy for raising this. Before I answer his question, I would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Bill O'Herlihy. Bill was the chairman of the Irish Film Board and I had the pleasure of working with him since my appointment as Minister. He was a true g...

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[Questions] There is adequate funding. Since 2016, the statistics have shown significant progress. In 2016, for example, only 34% of successful project development applications had female writers. This has increased by 10% with 44% of successful applications in 2018 having a woman writer attached...

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[Questions] I thank the Minister for her response and acknowledge the great role played by Bill O'Herlihy in improving the psyche of everyone. His contribution to the film industry was certainly second to none.
The tax reliefs available for production companies under section 481 have contributed ...

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[Questions] The figure for the Irish Film Board in 2015 is €14.6 million.[Humphreys, Heather]

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[Questions] I thank the Minister for her response. Regarding the Irish Film Board and its remit, I note that the board is more than 20 years old. Will the Minister consider reviewing its work to determine whether it can take on an expanded role?
I acknowledge the Minister's comments on the 1,000...

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[Questions] The group has met a number of times. An interdepartmental group comprising officials from my Department and other relevant Departments and agencies, it is to examine and report on recommendations. It has not yet produced a report on how to maximise the opportunities that the film indus...

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[Questions] I thank the Minister.[Flanagan, Terence]

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[Oral Answers]...the conditions that surrounded the sale of the State's stake in a studio (details supplied) to secure it as a location for film production into the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 25 to Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation ]

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[Questions] The Comptroller and Auditor General should investigate the circumstances of the sale. That is how serious I think this is. This is a piece of real estate that, if it were developed residentially, would probably be worth about €100 million. The Government cannot tell us how much it was...

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[Questions] I will answer the question the Deputy raised regarding the conditions that surrounded the sale of the State's stake in the studio. Ardmore Studios has been sold to Olcott Entertainment Limited. The Ardmore site is currently zoned for film industry use only and this protection is due to...

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[Questions] There are currently three people working full time in Ardmore because it is sitting empty.[Barrett, Richard Boyd]

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[Questions] That will improve.[Humphreys, Heather]

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[Questions] Meanwhile, in Dublin, there are three films being made, one in a derelict NAMA factory where, as I said, four workers have just been sacked because they protested about the conditions under which they were working. Another film is being made in an old factory in Tallaght for some bizarr...

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[Questions] That is a matter for the film board.[Humphreys, Heather]

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[Questions] There is also a reported €7 million gone into Ardmore. Is this not a bit odd? We are pouring all this money into the film industry and into Ardmore and there is nothing happening in Ardmore. It is happening in NAMA factories where workers are out protesting over the conditions they ar...

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[Questions] I reassure the Deputy that the current Ardmore Studios require investment, as he knows.[Humphreys, Heather]

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[Questions] It has got a lot of investment in the last while.[Barrett, Richard Boyd]

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[Questions] This company has purchased it and committed to investing in it. There is a great opportunity there. I am sorry I am not familiar with those particular places the Deputy is talking about. I suggest he brings it up with the Irish Film Board, which falls under the remit of the Minister f...

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[Questions] The Government might as well be in a spaceship somewhere off in the stratosphere for all it seems to understand what is going on in the film industry. The Minister said Ardmore needs investment. Maybe it does, maybe it does not. According to the report, it has an investment of €7 mill...

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[Questions] I think the Deputy is the one who has gone into outer space at this stage. Enterprise Ireland has a significant investment portfolio. It makes many investments for which it carries out due diligence and the necessary checks. It felt this was the best opportunity for Ardmore Studios. ...

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[Questions] We are all for the film industry.[Barrett, Richard Boyd]

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[Questions] However, I cannot tell people where to make films.[Humphreys, Heather]

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[Questions] There is public money going into it.[Barrett, Richard Boyd]

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[Questions] This is an opportunity for Ardmore Studios and for the people of Wicklow to strengthen the offering the studio has. There is a bright future for the studio. The film industry is looking for space. Ardmore Studios has the ideal space and I have no doubt the use of that space will be op...

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[Oral Answers]...if she will report on meetings she has held recently with stakeholders in the film industry here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 11 to Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht ]

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[Questions] The Finance Bill is going through the Houses at present. Section 481, dealing with tax relief for the film industry, amounts to €70 million or €80 million a year. It is positive that we are investing in the film industry but, as the Minister knows, given it was discussed at length at t...

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[Questions] My Department and I have a strong relationship with the film industry, with meetings and other interaction taking place on an ongoing basis. This is particularly true of the relationship with Fís Éireann, the State's agency for the development of the film industry which comes under the ...

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[Questions] The screen education-training forum is important and is long overdue because there is still no proper structure for training and progression for trainees. However, the industry forum is critical. This was recommended by the all-party Oireachtas committee and we need to know it is going...

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[Questions] The Deputy has my assurance in that regard. I would be open to any suggestions he has on resolving the inter-union disputes in regard to the industry forum. It is the unions which are not talking to each other. My Department is working very closely with others to try to get this up an...

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[Questions] The "Prime Time" programme certainly outlined the disputes that exist. However, it was a bit of a travesty in terms of balance because it tried to imply that one group alone was responsible for problems in the industry and deliberately ignored evidence from other sources, for example, f...

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[Oral Answers]...her views on whether the current method of providing public funding to the film industry is the most appropriate for delivering quality employment and training in the industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 10 to Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gae...

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[Questions] In June 2018 I was pleased to launch the audiovisual action plan, an industry-wide long-term plan under the Creative Ireland programme, to support the Government's ambition to enable Ireland to become a global hub for the production of film, television drama and animation. The audiovisu...

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[Questions] As I said, I would welcome suggestions from the Deputy on how we could get the unions to come together. The Deputy will be aware that SIPTU will not allow the Irish Film Workers Association, with which, as far I am aware, he is working, to come to the table. Screen Ireland and the Depa...

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[Questions] The top news item today is that there is a major investigation into a loan of €100,000 by John Delaney to the Football Association of Ireland. It is currently being explored at a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport. Each year, approximately €100 mi...

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[Questions] I did not receive a letter from him.[Barrett, Richard Boyd]

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[Questions] My Department has not received reports of any such alleged activity. I know that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection stated that it would liaise with the Deputy on the issue. It is important to state that blacklisting is against the law and is not and should not ...

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[Questions] Screen Ireland has a comprehensive dignity at work policy. Also, legislation is being brought forward by my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, in regard to security and predictability of working hours for employees on ins...

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[Questions] I will put it very simply for the Minister. I appreciate that the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, has agreed to meet me and film workers next week, as well as the engagement of the Department of Finance and Revenue. However, I wish to put c...

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[Questions] I would be careful about the narrative that a minority of people in the industry are doing this, that or the other. There are accusations flying from all directions. I would not take anything related to the "Prime Time" piece as read. We need to get to the substantial issues, which ar...

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[Questions] As I stated, the film industry is not outside the remit of the law. It must be subject to the same rigours of the law as any other industry. My Department is not aware of any particular issues with workers in the industry. It is important to again stress that the new film regulations ...

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[Questions] I note what the Deputy is saying. I reiterate that if he has any suggestions, other than the appointment of Mr. Kieran Mulvey-----[Madigan, Josepha]

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[Questions] They have refused to come in.[Barrett, Richard Boyd]

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[Questions] The forum.[Barrett, Richard Boyd]

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[Questions] The matter is concluded. We move to Question No. 11. As Deputy Aindrias Moynihan is forgoing his 30 seconds, the Minister may provide her reply.[Murphy, Eugene]

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[Questions] If the Deputy has any suggestions on how deal with the inter-union issues he should forward them to my Department. In regard to what was written in the letter from Screen Ireland, I urge caution.[Madigan, Josepha]

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[Questions] My replies are somewhat in disarray. Is the question on commemorations?[Madigan, Josepha]

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[Questions] Yes.[Moynihan, Aindrias]

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[Questions] I thank the Acting Chairman for his forbearance.[Madigan, Josepha]

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[Topical Issues] I am grateful for the opportunity to raise what is a serious issue for Wicklow. Yesterday, we received by e-mail the announcement that Ardmore Studios were being placed for sale on the open market. This raises serious questions for Enterprise Ireland and the Government about the d...

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[Topical Issues] I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Clearly, my thoughts are with the workers and families affected by the announcement. I hope that all employment rights will be adhered to if it comes to the closure or sale of the studios.
The sale of Ardmore Studios is a commercial de...

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[Topical Issues] I thank the Minister of State for taking this question.[Casey, Pat]

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[Topical Issues] I can only agree with what the Deputy has said. I will not defend the indefensible and I agree that if Ardmore Studios is closing, we need to know why. I was not aware the State has a 32% stake in it. The policy issues concerning the film industry are matters for my colleague, th...

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[Oral Answers]...if she was consulted in relation to the sale of a studio (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 12 to Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht ]

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[Questions] Ardmore Studios is a very strategic facility. It was sold recently and I understand the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation was involved. Was the Minister consulted about the sale and were concerns expressed about the vulnerability of Ardmore's future as a studio?[Ó Cuív,...

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[Questions] The sale of the studio referred to by the Deputy is first and foremost a matter for my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Heather Humphreys. I can confirm, however, that her Department has kept my Department informed of the progress and ultimate acqui...

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[Questions] Just to satisfy my idle curiosity, I ask the Minister to explain why the Irish and English versions of the name are totally different. Screen Ireland is translated as "Fís Éireann" but the word "fís" means "vision", while the Irish for the word "screen" is "scáileán". Why does this ano...

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[Questions] I totally agree with Deputy Ó Cuív's comment on the translation. When I saw it I wondered about it too because the word "fís" has a very particular meaning in Irish relating to a vision. That is how the word is used. For example, it features as a title in much academic discussion and ...

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[Questions] I thank the Deputies for their comments. On the issue of use of the word "fís", we need to have a vision for film, television and all of the new platforms. A digital revolution is taking place around the world and the word "fís" encompasses it more than the word "scáileán" would. The ...

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[Questions] Given that we are talking about the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I presume that Fís Éireann was the original name which was translated into English and not the other way around. It baffles me as to why, having called it Fís Éireann, the Department did not call it V...

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[Topical Issues] As the Minister, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, is aware, Ardmore Studios is synonymous with the Irish film industry. It is, in effect, the birthplace of the Irish film industry as an industry. Since it opened in 1958, it has propelled Irish film making into the top flight of film maki...

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[Topical Issues] I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.
I am conscious of the anxiety that the uncertainty around the sale of Ardmore Studios creates for the workers concerned, as well as for the local community. Ardmore Studios is a commercial entity, owned 68.33% by private interests and 3...

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[Topical Issues] At many levels, I welcome what the Minister says, but there are a few details I would like to hear to be more assured. First, there should be absolutely no consideration of the Government selling its stake in Ardmore. Critical to maintaining it is for the Government to retain that...

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[Topical Issues] I have had three meetings: one with the workers and the unions; one with Oireachtas Members; and another with Oireachtas Members and the chief executive of and officials from Wicklow County Council.
I hear the Deputy talking about nationalising. In fairness, Enterprise Ireland is...

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[Topical Issues] The workers have the expertise.[Barrett, Richard Boyd]

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[Topical Issues] Yes, absolutely, and not Enterprise Ireland. However, the workers-----[O'Connor, Mary Mitchell]

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[Topical Issues] I am not asking for Enterprise Ireland.[Barrett, Richard Boyd]

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[Topical Issues] May I finish? We had the meeting with Wicklow County Council and all of those people were in attendance. Bryan Doyle, the chief executive of Wicklow County Council, wrote to me. He welcomed my recognition of the importance of Ardmore Studios to County Wicklow and the mid-east reg...

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[Oral Answers]...the supports she provides for the indigenous film and television production sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 7 to Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht ]

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[Questions] I asked the Minister to outline the support she provides for the indigenous film and television production sector, and if she will make a statement on the matter.[Smyth, Niamh]

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[Questions] The Irish Film Board has primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland, in respect of the indigenous sector and inward productions. Its aim is to help film-makers to make Irish films and provide production and development loans for features, television p...

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[Questions] I thank the Minister. We all agree that the indigenous film and television production sector has a significant cultural and economic impact in Ireland. Indigenous producers preserve Ireland's rich cultural heritage and chronicle what it means to be Irish. The sector has enjoyed many s...

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[Questions] The success of the Irish Film Board is tremendous in terms of the level of funding it receives. The Deputy is correct. It supports productions. It secured seven nominations at this year's Oscars. Lenny Abrahamson was nominated in the best director category for "Room". "Room" and "Br...

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[Questions] The Minister will be aware that independent producers and production companies employ several thousand people and foster a habitat for the type of creative talent that attracts big-budget productions. An analysis by the Revenue Commissioners showed that the estimated expenditure on empl...

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[Questions] I have met with the chairperson of RTE and we had a very positive meeting. RTE wishes to work in a collaborative manner. We had significant collaboration with RTE for the 2016 commemorations. I note what the Deputy said about the expenditure by film companies, which is very good news ...

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[Oral Answers]...if the State will maintain its current stake in a studio (details supplied) and ensure it is maintained as a going concern; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 11 to Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation ]

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[Oral Answers]...the actions she will take to ensure that a studio (details supplied) is maintained as a working film studio; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [Q. No(s) 17 to Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation ]

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[Questions] The Minister was talking about creating jobs in the previous question. This question is about keeping jobs. We discussed this last week, both the future for Ardmore Studies and the jobs, hundreds directly and thousands indirect, that are dependent on the studio. I seek an update as to...

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[Questions] I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 17 together.
Ardmore Studios is a commercial entity, owned 68.33% by private interests and 31.67% by the State. The State's shareholding is managed by Enterprise Ireland, EI.
Enterprise Ireland inherited the stake from NADCORP, the former Stat...

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[Questions] I thank the Minister for her response. To take up the last point, will she give us a commitment that not only will she consult the Cabinet but she will also consult the Dáil on any decision about the disposal of Ardmore? While I welcome the fact the Minister is talking about it as a go...

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[Questions] It is for sale as a going concern. It is also zoned for film production. The only way that can change is if the councillors in County Wicklow vote for that rezoning to be changed. I held a meeting with the county manager and many of the representatives from Wicklow County Council, as ...

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[Questions] It would be helpful if the Minister could let us know when the zoning is next up for review, if she has that information available. With regard to a different but linked enterprise, will the Minister revert to me with information on the level of support the Department or its agencies ha...

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[Questions] I do not doubt for one second that the Minister and just about everybody else who is concerned with this wants to retain the studio as a going concern, so I am not questioning that. What I am saying is that while the retention of the film-only zoning is very much to be welcomed, in itse...

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[Questions] In response to Deputy Niall Collins, while I do not have that information with me, I will be very glad to give it to his new colleague, Deputy Donnelly, in the next few days.[O'Connor, Mary Mitchell]

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[Questions] Why not give it to me? I asked for it.[Collins, Niall]

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[Questions] I will give it to Deputy Niall Collins and to Deputy Donnelly. I have met him on two occasions already on the issue of Ardmore Studios. I will send Deputy Niall Collins the information in regard to Troy Studios.
In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, we have a very viable film industry ...

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[Questions] What about a workers buy-out?[Barrett, Richard Boyd]

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[Questions] The workers can.[O'Connor, Mary Mitchell]

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[Topical Issues] On 18 October 2016, a press release announced the sale of Ardmore Studios, which included the 32% State shareholding. Alarm bells immediately sounded when I and other public representatives were denied access to the prospectus of sale in order to clarify whether the studio was bein...

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[Topical Issues] It is an absolute disgrace that we discover on RTÉ and in newspapers over the weekend that a key part of Ireland's cultural and cinematic heritage has been sold.[Barrett, Richard Boyd]

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[Topical Issues] I thank the Deputies for the opportunity to outline the position regarding the recent agreement to sell Ardmore Studios.
Ardmore Studios Limited is being sold to Olcott Entertainment. The sale was announced to staff on Friday morning last, 23 March and later that day to the publi...

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[Topical Issues] I thank the Minister for answering but there were several questions I asked that she did not answer directly. The only direct answer she gave relates to the zoning and thanks are due to the public representatives in Wicklow who have maintained the zoning there. Will the Minister g...

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[Topical Issues] It is absolutely disgraceful that we have sold off the State's holding in Ardmore. We have fully privatised it to the benefit of a company which appeared like a mushroom. That is a feature of the film industry where the companies that receive all the State money appear like mushro...

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