John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies for their valuable contributions to the debate on this essential Bill.

With regard to projects certified under section 481, this was a unique provision when it was first introduced in Ireland but, naturally, it was quickly copied elsewhere when it proved successful. I have substantially enhanced that section but the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gordon Brown, who has a personal interest in film, introduced a similar incentive scheme in Britain. We must now consider how we can improve our scheme and decide whether we should begin negotiations with a view towards finding areas of compatibility rather than engaging in a Dutch auction. The effect of section 481 in terms of the number of films certified in 2006 is encouraging. Between 1994 and 2001, €581.8 million was certified under the section, while €62.2 million was certified in 2002, €84.8 million in 2003, €58.1 million in 2004 and €54.8 million in 2005. The decrease in 2005 reflected a degree of uncertainty with regard to the future of the provision but this year has seen a significant increased to €110.5 million.

Ireland attracts more television projects than elsewhere because we are unique in offering incentives for television production, whereas other jurisdictions only support films.

The Irish Film Board is aware of the importance of production infrastructure to the film industry including, in particular, the viability of Ardmore Studios, and it keeps this area under constant review. I expect the board to keep me informed of developments regarding requirements for film productions, including matters pertaining to Ardmore Studios. It is important to point out that the Government's support for the Irish Film Board has grown by 93% over the last five years. The Government has ensured the security of the film sector by enabling the board to continue to support training, production and development and the introduction of new initiatives, in keeping with the development and demands of the sector. Some 740 applications, on average, were made each year to the Irish Film Board between 2003 and 2005. Approximately 25% of those applications were successful.

Value for money is a particularly important aspect of this matter. The Irish Film Board's production-investment outlay has a leveraging factor of almost 1:10. Production in this sector was stimulated between 1993 and 2005 by the distribution through the board of €50.02 million of production loans in respect of feature films, television drama and animation. The productions in question had a combined budget of €482.65 million. In other words, for every €1 of Irish Film Board investment, almost €10 was generated by the industry.

One of the key strategies of the Irish Film Board is the development of talent, for example through screen training. It engages with new talent by means of the short film schemes, for example. Such talent is nurtured further by Screen Training Ireland. Scripts and ideas for screenplays are subsequently developed. Money may be invested in those screenplays. Most projects which have received production loans from the Irish Film Board over the last five years were developed from the script stage.

There is a tremendous amount of film-making activity in the regions. Projects have been shot in counties Donegal, Kilkenny, Louth, Monaghan, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Sligo, Leitrim, Galway, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and Dublin since 2000. In 2004, the Irish Film Board established the regional film and television fund to encourage film-making throughout the country. The fund aims to make the most of the wealth of locations in Ireland and to generate regional film and television activity. It is appropriate that a film called "The Running Mate", which should be shown on TG4 soon, has been shot in County Kerry in recent times. I understand the film is about a fellow running for the Dáil in the Kerry North constituency. I do not know whether the film has any relevance to Deputy Deenihan.

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