Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

We must stimulate our economy and this is one stimulant proven to work. The net gain to the Exchequer in 2009, for example, was more than €25 million; the gross gain was approximately €58 million, with tax foregone at approximately €32 million. The tax incentive has been very successful and without the incentive we would not have major film productions coming to the country.

The Minister has given a very positive reply but she knows that productions are planned two or three years ahead of time, which means people are now considering Ireland for productions in 2013. Certainty would be provided to the film industry if a statement could be made in the budget, and there are very good reasons for the Minister to state in the budget that we intend to continue the incentive for the length of the four year plan. That would bring us to 2014 and perhaps it could apply for even longer.

See this speech in context