Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their comments. On the issue of use of the word "fís", we need to have a vision for film, television and all of the new platforms. A digital revolution is taking place around the world and the word "fís" encompasses it more than the word "scáileán" would. The former is also easier to remember than the direct Irish translation of screen.

On the issue of Ardmore Studios to which the Deputy's original question refers, Enterprise Ireland requires the consent of its parent Department to dispose of State assets. In this context, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation maintained contact with my Department during the sale process to keep us briefed on developments, while also noting that the Department had no formal role in the process. The Department did not have a view as to who should own the studio but only that the studio would continue as a key asset underpinning the development of the Irish film industry. Ultimately, the decision to dispose of the Enterprise Ireland shareholding was a matter for the board of Enterprise Ireland and was subject to the approval of the relevant Minister. The process concluded when the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, wrote to me on 6 March 2018 to inform me of her decision to approve the proposed disposal by Enterprise Ireland of its minority shareholding on the terms recommended by its board.

The Ardmore site is currently zoned for film industry use only. This protection is due to run for at least another five years under the Bray municipal district local area plan. The site cannot be used for non-film industry development without the agreement of Wicklow County Council to alter the current zoning restriction. It is important that Ireland remains at the forefront of the audiovisual sector and this is one of the main aims of Global 2025, which the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and I launched recently.

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