Mr. James Hickey:

When we stopped, I was talking about the importance of section 481 as a tax incentive and how successful it has been in generating an enormous level of production activity in the independent production sector, such that we expect it will be well past €240 million this year. The important thing to say is that the independent production sector is a strong and well-resourced sector, which is well able to benefit from international income and local investment in terms of supporting Irish creative talent. It is really important that continues.

I said earlier that it was important that the relationship also exists with public service broadcasters and that they are able to invest in creative talent, in particular in the areas of feature film and TV drama animation and, in particular, to spend the money that is needed, above all else, for projects involving development funding. It is the lifeblood of the creative sector - it is the equivalent of research and development funding in other areas, and we all know the importance of that in areas like software, pharmaceuticals and everything else. One must spend money and invest in talent to enable talent to succeed locally and generate income internationally. It is really important to emphasise the importance of development funding.

The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs recently commissioned a report on the audiovisual sector. The consultants who have been appointed in respect of that report started work this week and will examine the audiovisual sector as a whole. It is hoped they will publish a report in the second quarter of next year. This is something that will help to contribute to how best to promote Ireland as a centre of excellence for media production on the world stage.

We already show our skills and strengths in this area. Some of the largest TV drama series in the world are made in the Republic of Ireland, as well as in Northern Ireland. For example, "Penny Dreadful" was made in the Republic of Ireland and we all know about "Game of Thrones" in Northern Ireland. Ireland as an island is very successful in terms of its capacity to undertake major TV drama production. In terms of job creation, it is a major success for us.

We emphasise the need to continue to invest in Irish creative talent and tax incentives that support international production. We are competing in a world where most other countries have those kinds of incentives. With the audiovisual sector report, there is a real opportunity to examine how best to move forward on capitalising on the strength of the creative talent we have in screen content production in Ireland.

Given that we are discussing public service broadcasting, I again emphasise that public service broadcasting should be supported sufficiently. Not only is it important in terms of news and current affairs, but it is very important as the basis of Irish creativity, culture, storytelling and creativity, whether live action, animation or TV drama. All those things are as important as news and current affairs in terms of public service broadcasting. We want to make sure that the emphasis on those areas is maintained because they are the areas supported by the Irish Film Board - we want Irish creative talent in screen content.