Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister and assure him that everyone on this side of the House will support the Bill.

Everyone is conscious of the importance of the film industry to Ireland and of the role of the Irish Film Board. That role is about more than promoting the commercial and creative elements of film making, in that the board also ensures training for up and coming participants in the industry. One of its main roles is to promote Ireland. All of these elements must be considered together when we discuss the industry.

Prior to the Irish Film Board's establishment, we had established a tradition of film making. In the past fortnight I watched "Ryan's Daughter" on television again and I am sure many Members had an opportunity to do likewise. When it was first released, I saw it in a cinema in London. Although I did not look on film making as an industry at the time, I realised the PR impact films made in Ireland must have had on the country's image and reputation. Consider the scenery in that film and "The Quiet Man".

We have been lucky. We have realised the importance of the arts, culture and film making, not just to Ireland's well being and the development of Irish characteristics but also to generating finance for Ireland at home and abroad. In the space of five years there was an investment of €1.1 billion in these sectors. This indicates our acceptance of the importance of the arts, culture and film making, even in difficult times. At all times, we must endeavour to sustain, maintain and develop them.

There is a propaganda element to film making. I look back on the days when I used to watch cowboy films. I thought the cowboys were always right and the Indians were always wrong until I realised the medium was being used as a propaganda tool. A film on Cyprus presented the freedom movement Ethnikí Orgánosis Kipriakoú Agónos, EOKA, in such a way that I believed it was right. I have since realised propaganda delivered in a soft manner is important. If we view it in the context of publicity and public relations, we can see the power of film making. I will not suggest how the film industry or the Irish Film Board should address this issue, as they are keenly aware of the importance of portraying Ireland in the best way possible. There will always be films on the edge and of a controversial nature, issues that need to be addressed and causes that need to be voiced, but it is important that we do not deliberately set out to damage the country's image among a foreign audience.

While I have not seen much that could damage us, I have seen the excellence of people involved in film making. Big television programmes such as "The Year of the French" and "Strumpet City" were magnificent productions. We never realised years ago that we were capable of putting on productions of that nature. They were not only entertaining, they were also informative, given the historical aspects. Both series showed the tenacity of the Irish character. We are discussing the commemoration of the 1916 Rising and the great lock-out of 1913, which brings us back to "Strumpet City". If we are to include the great lock-out in our commemorations in 2016, I hope "Strumpet City" will be aired again. It is a timeless series and airing it would cost nothing. Anyone of a particular age who watched it previously would be only too delighted to watch it again. There is no such thing as a film one would not watch again. I have watched "Doctor Zhivago" five times and could watch it again, but I will not discuss the more romantic movies. Films are timeless and we were capable of producing something of that quality.

"Ryan's Daughter" was made in the Minister's county. I recall a newspaper advertisement in which the film's makers offered the exceptional set they had built on the mountain to any organisation which would have been able to take it over and use it as a tourist attraction. I visited it and would have been interested in putting together a non-political coalition to take it over. Unfortunately, 16 landowners were involved in the village. If we make epic films such as those I have mentioned, we should keep their locations in mind on an ongoing basis. The Irish and people from abroad would undoubtedly like to visit the places where such films were made. Perhaps we might consider matters of legality, continuity and so on to ensure a further spin-off as a result of the State's investment.

The source of our talent can be found in the Abbey Theatre and other theatre companies, from local drama groups up. When major films needed extras, they drew on local drama societies, as well as on people with no histrionic experience. If people are in a film, their pride becomes part of the catchment area's folklore. It would not take much business acumen or ingenuity to tap into that pride during and following the film's creation.

The economy is entering a competitive period. We were all involved in yesterday's debate on the tourism industry, an industry which has become competitive and in which prices must be kept down, etc. In terms of the arts and film making, our culture and traditions, the very things tourists are looking for are exclusive to us. They do not have our culture; they have their own wonderful cultures. Discerning visitors who now account for many of our tourists are seeking an exceptionally different experience. As we have exclusive rights to our arts, culture and so on, we should be marketing and sustaining them. In a competitive world one must realise that our scenery, people, culture and arts are exclusive to us and that there seems to be much demand for them. We must consider how we package this experience. I have only touched on four areas, but there are 20 or 30 others in that context.

The Minister welcomed the three Senators attendance. Like me, he and his officials know that this debate is on an important issue. It is not one on which there would be a confrontational debate. We are keenly aware of the track record of the Irish Film Board and the film industry and, in particular, their potential. I commend the Minister for his contribution today. He pointed to the successes we have had which put Ireland centre-stage but they do much more than that. When we have successes in sport, literature or music with the likes of U2, we puff out the chest a little bit more and realise that we can now take our place among the nation's of the Earth in all of these areas. The Minister has outlined a catalogue, some of which we had forgotten. It is important to remind ourselves not to take these achievements for granted as they improved the morale of the nation's people each time we tasted success.

I endorse the Minister's comments and I hope he will avail of an opportunity to return for another debate on this area, not so much in a legislative context but for a discussion involving ideas and experiences that other Members may have. I have no doubt in my mind that once the ball is kicked in, there will be many to follow it. The Minister has kicked it today and as he has already said, he will not have any opposition in this House, which is rather unusual. We had a debate on a transport Bill recently and we ended up talking about political prisoners and other issues. This is an issue in a pure context with which we can all identify. It is good for our people, the economy and the image of the country. It is an area where we will definitely have consensus.