Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The industry had a role in the sense that the audiovisual sector, which embraces the entire film sector, receives a strong mention in the programme. I envisage opportunities to develop film distribution and associated activities into something akin to the International Financial Services Centre, albeit not on the same scale. One of our foremost film directors, Jim Sheridan, indicated to me that Ireland has a unique opportunity to become the centre of film distribution for Europe. I understand Germany attempted to achieve this objective some time ago but its efforts did not come to fruition for various reasons. Ireland could achieve this objective if we put together a proper plan. The matter is being examined.

The Deputy's point on the video games sector is equally valid. The most successful film ever made, "Avatar", which I would like to watch to see what impact it makes, features a phenomenal amount of computer enhancement. It would be wrong to suggest computer games are different from film given that the same skills are involved. The view that the computer games sector should be considered part of the audiovisual sector is becoming more and more legitimate.

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