Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 177, Standing Order 131 is modified to permit an instruction to the Committee to which the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015 may be recommitted in respect of certain amendments, for which it has power to make provision in the Bill in relation to:(a) changing the name of the Irish Film Board to Screen Ireland or in the Irish language Fís Éireann; and

(b) giving effect to the change of name of the Irish Film Board in all enactments, legal proceedings, statutory instruments and all other documents;and to change the title of the Bill to take account of these provisions.

The amendments I am introducing to this Bill are necessary to change the name of the Irish Film Board. As the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill was in the process of being enacted, I considered that the most effective way to give effect to this change of name was through this Bill. The Bill deals with one of the agencies under my auspices. The Irish Film Board also operates under my auspices. As both agencies operate in the cultural arena, this Bill offered the means to give effect to the change of name in a timely manner.

The current full name of the Irish Film Board, the Irish Film Board-Bord Scannán na hÉireann, has been considered out of date when used in an international arena. The use of the word "film" in the title is considered limiting. The proposal to change the name to Screen Ireland or Fís Éireann will reflect the broader remit of the agency as the promoter of the Irish film, television and animation sector.

The Irish Film Board is our primary agency for promoting and supporting the audiovisual sector. Its work extends far beyond the traditional realm of film and encompasses the domestic and international television sector as well as our growing animation sector.

The board is supportive of this change and the change of name can only take place by way of legislation. In fact, I had agreed verbally with the late Bill O'Herlihy, former chair of the Irish Film Board, shortly before his sudden death that I would make this change.

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