Ms Lesley McKimm:

I will speak about the indigenous film sector and something we are pushing for which has a price tag attached to it. This is the €20 million for the Irish Film Board. What struck me reading the document is sustainable careers, and we have spoken about this. Film producers and television production companies have the same issues. We have agencies here with lots of experience and they are now experts in the area. The Irish Film Board is one of these.

The Chairman asked why more money is required. It is imperative there is more funding for the Irish Film Board. It has not been working on a level playing field for a number of years. Successes such as "Room", "Brooklyn" and "Viva" are not accidents. They show a maturation of careers. These directors, writers, producers and production companies may be on their fourth or fifth feature film. They have been working for more than 20 years and have had steady support from agencies, such as the Irish Film Board and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, and from tax incentives, which have allowed them to grow and get stronger and better at their craft. We are seeing the results of this in the quality of the feature films we are making. There is a danger the cut in funding will create a gap. People at entry level or approaching mid-career will fall out and we will not see them continue because the funding is not there. Calling for more money seems like an easy fix but it essential because agencies such as the Irish Film Board are under huge pressure to foster new talent, look at ways of training, look at intervention and grow people throughout their career. There are huge possibilities for growth. Incoming productions such as "Star Wars" and "Penny Dreadful" are hugely beneficial. They bring a huge amount of employment and upskill everybody here but they must live side by side with indigenous production and the writers, directors and producers who generate their own projects. These small feature films and documentaries go into the world and there must be a twin track approach for them.