Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Due to ethics and the general tone of this discussion I feel that I should declare that in the past I have benefitted from tax reliefs for having been the writer of books. It is right for me to put that on record when I am discussing these type of issues.

On the film industry in Kerry, I have worked very closely with numerous groups. Due to our beautiful location and the fact that Kerry is the nicest part of the whole world many people want to come to shoot films or parts of films there. I was very thankful to the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, who was instrumental in ensuring the necessary licences were sanctioned to allow segments of "Star Wars" be filmed in Kerry. Everyone here knows the massive benefit that production was to my county and to this country.

In the past many more famous films were shot on location in Kerry. We have an awful lot of smaller groups who create films. We are all delighted with the headline groups and they are great. However, the majority of people might never hear the name of a film or never see one that is created by the smaller groups but these groups deserve support as well because they do great work in communities. Filming is an activity, an interest and a stimulating time for people who are interested in the whole world of arts, culture and heritage. Therefore, the sector should be promoted.

I am very grateful to a long-standing arts officer who we have had the good fortune to have had. Ms Kate Kennelly has been our arts and cultural officer for many years in County Kerry. She has done tremendous work with both small and large groups.

My interest is in the small groups. It is incredible the assistance that the local authority has been able to give over time in giving small grants. I am literally talking about a few thousand euro here and there but the difference that small grants make is frightening.

The one thing I want to emphasise to all of our guests is as follows. Again, the bigger stuff is great and is brilliant but I urge our guests to always keep an eye out for small productions and the small people who are involved. I know County Kerry but the other public representatives know their areas and the good work that is being done. In some ways, unless one is interested in the world of arts, one might not realise it was going on outside one’s door. There is a massive world out there, whether it is films, books, poetry or plays. Tonight, there are plays going on in different parts of this country but they are only small productions and there might not be 40 or 50 people attending but that is massive in their own areas.

I know we are very fortunate. The Carnegie Arts Centre in Kenmare was backed by politicians from all different backgrounds. The centre is housed in a small building but money was invested there in the past, which was money very well spent, and quite simply because the centre is being used an awful lot. Again, there are small productions or small plays, which are lovely to go to see if one has time. Many older or retired people, or people who might just have time, are able to avail of those types of services, and similarly in Killorglin. We have a drama group in Killorglin and it does tremendous work.

The message from Kerry that I would give to our guests is to always remember the smaller set-ups, venues and groups. It is not all about big money. A small amount of money at a critical time can make a difference to a production team as it would allow the team to go ahead and put on a film or play. It is even like the thing I referenced earlier. I refer to the people who write books. The amount of money involved is very small, yet it will give them encouragement. I refer to people who have a way, or a part-time way, of making a living. There is nothing in the world wrong with giving people who work part-time a tax exemption. Yes, of course, we have the headline people who sell thousands of books but that is a different story. However, I am talking about the smaller people and a tax exemption is a big help and encouragement.

I thank all our guests for being here this evening and commend them on the work they are doing. A pile of their work is hidden work and, as far as I am concerned, in the Ireland in which we live their work is very important. The functions our guests all perform in their different roles are very important and any way they can support the likes of what I have been speaking about is very welcome.

I want our guests to know that I am not being discourteous but I must ask questions about fishing in another committee room where officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are participating in the debate. I thank all of our guests for being here.