Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The McCarthy report stated that an objective case had not been made on this issue but, strictly speaking, that is not true. As the Minister indicated, there are direct benefits and these were highlighted in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report. However, there are also the intangible benefits and these are immense.

If, as I believe, we are all making the case to retain the Irish Film Board as a single entity independent of any Department, we must ensure it is extremely efficient and is not, for example, supporting uncompetitive practices. Has the Minister discussed with the Irish Film Board the possibility of its showing leadership? We appear to be extremely uncompetitive with regard to trade pay rates and it costs more to make films here than it does in any other country. In a sense, therefore, the investment fund is being used to support uncompetitive practices. The Minister should raise this matter with the board and inquire with regard to whether it needs two offices, one in Galway and the other in Dublin. Is there a way to ensure the board will become super-efficient in order that the entire industry might be more competitive when the good times return?

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