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

I have met with the chairperson of RTE and we had a very positive meeting. RTE wishes to work in a collaborative manner. We had significant collaboration with RTE for the 2016 commemorations. I note what the Deputy said about the expenditure by film companies, which is very good news for this country. The tax value of the Government's support for the film industry is €85 million per annum. The aggregate value in 2015 was €70 million in tax credits - this is real taxpayers' money to support and encourage investment in this country and to support indigenous film makers and the industry as well.

I would like the film board to focus also on rural areas, because when a town is chosen as a location for a film it is of major significance to the local economy. "Star Wars" is a powerful example of that. I remember when "The Butcher Boy" was filmed in Clones, and "The Playboys" and "The Run of the Country" were filmed in Redhills. We should work to get the film industry to locate in such places as Monaghan and Cavan.

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