Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and appreciate he was reading from a script prepared by the office of the Minister, Deputy Kelly. Unfortunately, its last phrase reads "no plans to reduce the planning fees at this time". What I am asking is that this item of infrastructure be treated in a different way. I do not accept it is as onerous to process an application for a film studio as it is to process one for large commercial buildings. I acknowledge there is a visual impact and noise but there is very little by way of threats to damage the environment from effluent or anything else. The film industry is highly mobile and New Zealand and some parts of Eastern Europe are highly active and will compete. The section 481 provision is helpful and is a major incentive. Moreover, Ireland has the expertise and people who are involved in film production, be they actors or producers, like being around. They like Ireland and Dublin and like being near it. Consequently, it is important to recognise these facts and to talk to the people in the industry because unless this matter is addressed, we unfortunately run the risk of not having enough studio space, which is a limiting factor. Were it possible to provide the industry with the full package, of which this proposal is part, an additional 5,000 jobs and €1 billion annually into this country could be leveraged. I do not accept that the planning fees need to be reduced in toto. Consideration must be given to this item of infrastructure and to the film industry and we must decide whether it is worth pursuing. The State gives all kinds of incentives through the IDA and others to bring in jobs but this measure would benefit indigenous people to enable them to provide the infrastructure for this industry to locate and to pick Ireland. As they wish to do so, we should help them.

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