Dr. Annie Doona:

I am happy to answer the question. The Irish Film Board's view is that the Picture Palace will be a tremendous asset to Galway. A few minutes ago we discussed the importance of the regions and not being Dublin centric. Ireland's only dedicated arthouse cinemas are in Dublin, which does not serve the regions well. The vision was to change this. Galway is a UNESCO-designated city of film and hosts the highly successful Film Fleadh every year, but it is short of the right environment and the right space. Our belief is the cinema is badly needed. We are frustrated and disappointed that the project has taken so long to come to fruition and by some of the ways in which it has been rolled out. A considerable amount of public funding has gone into it. The Irish Film Board was a minority funder, but we nevertheless had to be careful. In our three years of dealing with it the board has engaged in due diligence and followed due process in investing money and knows exactly what is happening with it. There are issues with the recession and the Picture Palace, but our concern is that the building should be finished, the Department should invest money and that there should be excellent governance. We had some concerns which we articulated about the length of time it was taking and some of the issues that occurred along the way. We believe in the project and want to see it finished as it is important for the people of Galway. We have been frustrated. The building is needed and we have invested money to have the project finished.