Mr. R?n?n ? Domhnaill:

Gabhaim féin agus mo chomhghleacaí, stiúrthóir forbartha na meán, Sinéad Crowley, buíochas le baill an choiste as an gcuireadh labhairt leo inniu ar an ábhar seo atá tábhachtach don sochaí, don earnáil teilifíse, scannánaíochta agus raidió, don chultúr, d’fhorbairt na tuaithe agus d’obair Choimisiún na Meán. Mar thús níor mhiste liom b’fhéidir beagán cur síos a dhéanamh ar Choimisiún na Meán, a bunaíodh i mí an Mhárta anuraidh agus a tháinig i gcomharbacht ar Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann, nó an BAI. Coimisiún na Meán was born with an expanded remit that covers the regulation of broadcasters and online media and supporting media development. We believe that how Ireland, our culture, our heritage and our communities are represented on screen matters. An coimisiún recognises the potential of film and television productions to local communities. Throughout Ireland, communities are rightly proud to see their towns and villages on the small or big screen. Economically, film and television productions also bring the potential for enhanced tourism, local employment and creative opportunities to regional cities, towns and villages.

Supporting the development of the wider media sector through sectoral learning and development initiatives, funding schemes including the sound and vision scheme, and activities to promote the Irish language and equality, diversity and inclusion in the media sector is core to my work as media development commissioner. An coimisiún supports television and film production in a range of ways. Recently, we announced funding of almost €800,000 under our sectoral learning and development programme and sponsorship scheme. These programmes deliver specific training needs and supports for the audiovisual sector. Some examples include the Catalyst International Film Festival in Limerick city; the Dingle Animation Festival in County Kerry; the FÍS TV summit in Galway city, and the Community Television Association which has bases in counties Leitrim and Cork as well as in Belfast. Chomh maith le sin, d’fhógair muid roinnt babhtaí maoinithe faoin scéim Glúin Nua i gcomhpháirtíocht le TG4, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Gréasán na Meán. Thacaigh sé seo le scríbhneoirí agus léiritheoirí a bhí ag obair as Gaeilge barr feabhais a chuir ar a gcuid scileanna. Is cúis mhór mórtais agus áthais é dúinn a bheith in ann tacú leis na meáin Ghaeilge mar chuid dár gcuid oibre.

Separately, the sound and vision scheme has made an invaluable contribution to film and television production in Ireland and boasts two Oscar-nominated films among its recipients, "The Secret of Kells" in 2009 and "An Cailín Ciúin" in 2022. In total, more than €63 million has been provided to high-quality Irish television and radio productions under the sound and vision scheme, which includes productions throughout the regions. An important element of that scheme is that it supports culturally valuable programming which in many cases may not otherwise be made. A key consideration when awarding funding is the extent to which a proposed production provides an opportunity for new talent and skills development. The development of a strong media landscape is not an ambition that an coimisiún pursues alone. It is important to recognise the support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, having recently provided additional funding for a number of sound and vision rounds. We also benefit from collaboration with a range of stakeholders including Fís Éireann, the independent production sector and broadcasters working together to support and advocate for initiatives that help to develop the industry countrywide. Guím gach rath ar obair an choiste seo agus táim ag tnúth go mór an deis a fháil aon cheisteanna atá agaibh a fhreagairt.