John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I understand that "The Running Mate", which will be shown on TG4, is quite entertaining.

People have asked why there should be a limit on the Irish Film Board's outlay. As Deputy Coveney pointed out, it is considered prudent to keep the limit at a certain level to make it necessary to review the amounts every four or five years and to provide an opportunity for periodic debate. I was asked whether the proposed sum is high enough. Without pre-empting what might be allocated in the annual Estimates process, I consider than an increase of €100 million over four or five years is sufficient, especially as the capital allocation for 2007 is €17 million.

The issue of captioning, which was mentioned during the debate, comes under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The matter may be discussed with the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, in the context of the television without frontiers directive.

The Irish Film Board has demonstrated on many occasions that it has a strong commitment to the development of the Irish language. It has put in place a specific initiative to develop new talent in Irish language-related broadcasting. I refer to the development and production of short films, documentaries, drama, children's television and feature films in Irish. In 2004, the board co-produced "Gearrscannáin", which is a compilation of Irish language short films for schools. The production, which was embraced by the education sector, was distributed to every secondary school in Ireland. In 2006, the board invested in two landmark Irish language projects — "Kings", which is a feature film adaptation of the play "The Kings of the Kilburn High Road", and "Aifric", which is a teen drama for TG4.

In 2005, the Irish Film Board co-developed a pilot module of moving image studies for transition year students, to introduce them to the study of the contemporary moving image. As the pilot was a success, a second phase of it will be rolled out to 60 schools throughout the country in 2007. This project is in keeping with the board's strategic aim of developing new Irish audiences and new film-making talent. In that context, I was pleased recently to make contributions of €100,000 to the Ark arts centre and of €50,000 to the National Association of Youth Drama. These funds will help to stimulate an interest in the arts among young people. Part of the additional allocation of €2.5 million that I recently made available to the Arts Council will be used to help the council to become involved in young people's initiatives.

Ireland's recent success on the international film stage has been quite impressive. It is significant that a number of Irish people have won Oscars in the last 25 years. Josie MacAvin won the Oscar for art direction in 1985 for her work on "Out of Africa". Daniel Day Lewis won the best actor Oscar in 1989 for his work on "My Left Foot". Brenda Fricker won the best supporting actress Oscar in 1989 for her work on the same film. Neil Jordan won the Oscar for best original screenplay in 1992 for his work on "The Crying Game". Michelle Burke won the Oscar for best make-up in 1982 and 1992 for her work on "Quest for Fire" and "Bram Stoker's Dracula". Peter O'Toole was awarded an honorary Oscar for acting in 2003. Martin McDonagh won the best live action short film Oscar for "Six Shooter" earlier this year, which was wonderful.

I was also asked about cross-Border initiatives. The Irish Film Board works closely with the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission on joint marketing activities, such as the annual Irish pavilion at the Cannes film festival. Both bodies participate in joint promotional activities — they co-host inward trade missions and attend trade missions together overseas. The board and the commission work together to invest in film, television and documentary projects. The Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission took part in the Irish trade mission to India, which was led by the Taoiseach, in January of this year. It subsequently co-hosted an inward trade mission involving key Indian film and television producers. The commission is a member of the network of regional film offices. Over the last three years, the agencies have co-invested in 12 film projects, representing one third of all Irish indigenous film production. Many of those projects were shot in the Border region.

Irish animation is highly regarded internationally for its ability to produce award-winning films which are independently financed and produced with a great amount of skill. The Irish Film Board, which has been investing in Irish animation for over ten years, has developed and produced a considerable volume of Irish-generated film and television projects. Such projects attract international financiers, broadcasters and audiences. It is estimated that 300 full-time and freelance animators are working in the Irish animation sector. The sector is bigger at present than it was in the 1990s when the Sullivan Bluth animation studios from the United States were based in Dublin. Those studios established and upskilled the Irish animation sector. Many third level sectors train those who wish to work in the sector, which is responsible for generating its own intellectual capital and is beginning to realise its significant export potential. While I am talking about animation production, I should mention that "Give Up Your Aul Sins" was deservedly nominated for the Oscar for best animated short film.

It is sometimes forgotten that the Irish Film Board has a relatively small number of staff. Its full staffing complement is in the order of 16 extremely dedicated and committed people. It is clear from the figures I have given to the House that the staff are worth their weight in gold. They have done a great deal for the Irish film industry. Everybody involved in the industry in Ireland and overseas thinks very highly of the board's workers and so do I.

I hope the decision to locate Ireland's film ambassador in Hollywood will be of enormous benefit to the industry in the short and medium terms. We will see how it works. When I went to Los Angeles, I was advised by many people involved in the film industry that Ireland was at a disadvantage because it did not have a permanent presence there. I expect the decision that has been taken, which should be welcomed, will give us an advantage.

We should celebrate the success of Irish films this year. I refer, for example, to the Oscar for best live action short film and the wonderful success of "The Wind that Shakes the Barley". I am not sure whether it shook Fine Gael.

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