John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I can only agree with what the Deputy has said. I will not defend the indefensible and I agree that if Ardmore Studios is closing, we need to know why. I was not aware the State has a 32% stake in it. The policy issues concerning the film industry are matters for my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. I assure the Deputy I will contact her as soon as I can and request that she make contact with the Deputy and see where we can go from here. I am informed that planning issues generally are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government but it is the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs who is dealing with this particular matter. I will do my best in the coming days to ensure any information the Deputy needs regarding what is happening to Ardmore Studios is imparted to him by whichever is the relevant Department. It is not acceptable that the Deputy, who represents the area in question, should not have all the relevant information. If I can gather the information on what is happening with Enterprise Ireland and the Government's role in the sale, I give the Deputy my word I will get it for him. If not, I will contact the relevant Department and request that the Minister contact the Deputy in the coming days.

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