Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Any discussion we will have on this tax relief would be similar to that on the 12.5% corporation tax rate as we would all agree on the matter. It is an essential relief, not only because of its economic value but also because of the number of people it facilitates employment for and the way it supports the creative sector and not just the technical side. There is also a knock-on effect for tourism and people working here, as well as the image portrayed of Ireland abroad. On at least four different counts it is critical.

I visited the set of Sean Penn's film and that of "Neverland", which is being filmed on Killiney hill. Every person from a wide geographical area with any skill or talent in the film sector was employed in the project, and Killiney Castle was full because actors and other personnel were staying there. There was much activity. In the plan there is a list of reliefs to be removed but the film relief is not one of those.

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