Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I spoke to Mr. Foxhall and conveyed our best wishes on his great victory. We are proud of his achievement.

I share many of Deputy Mitchell's views. The Irish film industry has done well but is only scratching the surface. There is enormous potential and I have made this clear to the Irish Film Board. The Government will do what it can in financial supports. In my reply I said we have extended the tax relief to 2012 and are studying whether the direct grants outlined in the Indecon report would be practical. The industry has the equivalent of 1,800 full-time jobs, which is significant. Expenditure in the industry last year was over €280 million, which is considerable. Studies by the Irish Film Board show that for every euro it invests, it generates a return of approximately €10. We are doing very well in television and short production. We could do much more in feature films. We are examining implementing the Indecon report and the direct grant scheme alongside the tax breaks scheme. We will keep in mind the existing performance.

I am examining the possible establishment of a high powered film commission that might advise Ireland. I am looking at the possibility of finding some international expertise, separate from the day-to-day operation of the film industry and the Irish Film Board, who might have a view on where the Irish film industry might take itself in the next five years.

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