Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. O'Herlihy for his very interesting presentation. He has had an interesting life so far, with more to come by the looks of things.

I wish to address the issue of the ability of people around Ireland to see films. In the town I come from there used to be two cinemas. Then we progressed and developed and ended up with none. In County Roscommon as a whole there is one cinema. There was one cinema in Roscommon town, but it has closed down. What can the Irish Film Board or Mr. O'Herlihy do to make film viewing more accessible? When I say "more accessible", I mean the distributors of films should make it viable for community centres or town halls in remote areas to screen films. Where I come from, one has to make a two-hour round trip to see a film and the experience is ruined as a result. Does Mr. O'Herlihy envisage the Irish Film Board being able to do anything to address this issue? The promotion of Irish films is part of the board's remit, but many people do not have access to them. What does Mr. O'Herlihy believe the board could do to encourage our public service broadcaster to show Irish films in order that we do not have to watch another re-run of "Are You Being Served?" or something equally not up-to date?