Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I will address two specific concepts. It is important to see this in context. The report prepared by Mr. Colm McCarthy is excellent and he has looked across all Departments before presenting a menu. Nobody would anticipate that every single line written by him would be taken verbatim and implemented but he has provided important food for thought. I do not want to put this in a space of I, as Minister, being for or against it. A rationale must be applied.

I agree with both Deputies that there is a strong rationale for the retention of the Irish Film Board because it is delivering jobs and is a positive international marketing message for this country. It is winning indigenous jobs and creating inward jobs and investment. Akin to the IDA in some respects, it is our international arm for winning that sort of business, which is highly mobile in its movement from different markets and countries.

That success guides me in stating that the board should be retained as it is and with current functions. It is achieving the goals we set out for it.

See this speech in context