Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Limerick woman, Ruth Negga, on her nomination for best actress in this year's Oscars. Even though she was born in Ethiopia, all her family live in Dooradoyle in Limerick. The Malone family is absolutely ecstatic about her nomination. Ruth has always said that she is from Limerick. Ruth's mother was a nurse in Ethiopia when she met her father and Ruth lived there for a number of years, but she always comes back to her Limerick roots and family. The fact that so many Irish people have been nominated for Oscars and the fact that she has been nominated for best actress has inspired me to ask the Leader to ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to come to the House to debate how we can enhance film in Ireland. Troy Studios in Limerick is based on the old Dell plan, has 350,000 sq. ft. of studio space and is the second largest studio outside Dublin. Shannon Airport makes it very accessible. This is an area that Ireland is trying to enhance so I ask the Leader to bring in the Minister for a debate on the film industry and how we can help it.