Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Acting Chairman. This matter refers to the status and future of the Light House Cinema in Smithfield, Dublin 7. My constituency colleague, Deputy Costello, raised the matter in the House a number of weeks ago. In that time, the legal process surrounding the cinema and its future has wound on. During the past week, the court decided to put in place a process whereby the cinema could be closed and the site could be handed over to the developer.

In evaluating the issue, three points are pertinent. First, the taxpayer has delivered nearly €2 million in funding to the project to date. This significant amount was justified, as it came through the Irish Film Board and the Arts Council. The money was used successfully in supporting film making and the enjoyment of film in Ireland. That €2 million was invested in an enterprise that now looks like it will be wound up.

Second, the only use for the site allowed by its zoning status is as a cinema. Anything else that assumes the Light House Cinema's place must use the site for the same purpose.

Third, this business was doing well. Like many other businesses of its time, it took on a lease that turned out to be unsustainable, in that the cinema could not meet the needs as required under the lease. However, the business had been doing better in recent months. Given the amount of money the taxpayer has invested and the large cultural benefit it was delivering to our city and to an industry we are trying to support, will the Minister find a way to intervene to ensure the use of the money and the restoration of an important cultural benefit to the city?

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