Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I want to pick up on a theme touched on by Deputy Feighan, namely the variety and quality of films released from Ireland.

A number of speakers have commented on the success of the "The Guard" which stars Brendan Gleeson. We have produced many films of different tones in recent years which have done well. It is a credit to the different people involved in the industry. A film producer who comes to mind is Ken Wardrop. He produced a film which featured women across the midlands speaking about marriage, family life and their experiences. It was a beautifully produced film which got a lot of critical acclaim at home and abroad. It came about through the creativity of Ken Wardrop and the support made available to him by many different organisations in Ireland. I want to recognise the variety and success of people who are working within the industry.

The Minister is aware of the first area on which I wish to focus, namely the future of the Light House Cinema in Smithfield. It is an arthouse cinema which received a substantial amount of funding from the taxpayer recently but due to commercial difficulties it is currently closed. A number of different companies have expressed an interest in taking over the running of the cinema.

I ask the Minister, through his Department, to do all he can to make sure the cinema is reopened in recognition of the contribution made by the taxpayer and the huge value it brought to the northside of Dublin and beyond. I urge that whatever company takes over the running of the cinema, which I hope to see happen, it continues to focus on the kind of films shown by its predecessor. It was recognised and valued by many and its absence is keenly felt.

My second point concerns some of the recommendations of the Creative Capital report. Cathal Gaffney, who is also involved with the Brown Bag Films, was involved in compiling the report. The company has been extraordinarily successful in producing animated films at home and abroad. I visited the company and saw the quality of work it is doing. It is a world leader and is expanding and hiring graduates from Irish colleges as fast as we can reduce them. It is the kind of company the creative capital report and the organisations involved in the Bill are supporting and need to support in the future.

A particularly relevant point in the report was the need for multiannual budgeting for people who commission projects. Companies need to have the ability to know what kind of support they might receive this year and into the future in order that they can plan their development.

I welcome the Bill and ask the Minister to do what he can about the Light House Cinema and the organisation beside it. It is a complex performance space in Smithfield which continues to need our support to ensure it can continue to provide great art and performance space on the northside of Dublin.

See this speech in context