Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I am delighted to be able to speak on this Bill. I welcome the Bill and I commend the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, on the work he has done. He has shown great interest in film-making. Filmmaking has been a major part of our psyche and has created many jobs over the years. Some speakers have said if one sees an area on film one might decide to visit it, which is good for tourism.

The background of the Bill is to amend the Irish Film Board Act and to increase from €200 million to €300 million the maximum aggregate amount of any investment. The role of the Irish Film Board has been to provide development and production finance for Irish film projects.

Over the years we thought filmmaking did not involve rural Ireland or was not part of the Irish economy. We have become experts at producing many great films. I remember watching "The Virginian" growing up. The father of James Drury was from Boyle. When he rode into battle with the Indians we always said he was one of our own. A year and a half ago he came back to Boyle and got out of his big limousine with his hat on. He was surrounded by a lot of cowboys who happened to be from Boyle. We were honoured to see one of our own coming home.

Boyle is a small town of 2,500 people. Chris O'Dowd, who has starred in "Bridesmaids" and "Gulliver's Travels" is also a native of Boyle and played minor football for Roscommon. I understand he played against the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's team. He is a normal young man who has made it very big in the film industry. We think such people should be from Hollywood but they have not forgotten where they come from. He always returns to Boyle and is very much part of the area.

I am delighted Deputy Collins reminded us of "The Secret of Kells" which received many award nominations. Its producer was Paul Young who is also from Boyle, which is the new Hollywood of western Europe. As a politician, people might say I am one of the best actors to come from the town but I am not paid as much as those people. We are very proud of those who would not ordinarily be involved in the film industry. As a result of the opportunities and finance made available by the Irish Film Board we have film stars in our midst.

Films such as "Saving Private Ryan" and "Braveheart" were able to avail of the expertise of the FCA or the Reserve Defence Force. It was wonderful. We are competing against other countries. When people want to shoot films in Ireland we can rely on all the vestiges of Government and the goodwill of communities. Deputy Griffin is correct. A film such as "Ryan's Daughter" gives an area a profile around the world.

I commend the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, on all the work he has done. He has won five all-Ireland medals. As a Minister, it is good to be able to tell people one is an expert in one's field, such as Gaelic football. It is nice to see that when somebody comes to the country he or she will have the assistance, interest and enthusiasm the Minister has brought to his role. I wish him every success now and in the future.

I would like to pay tribute to the Irish Film Board. It has won recognition for many Irish films, such as "Bloody Sunday", "The General" and "I Went Down". Such films have articulated the lives of Irish people and the various troubles in Ireland. Without the assistance of the Irish Film Board we would be under pressure.

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