Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report on his recent visit to the Cannes Film festival; the efforts he made to promote Irish film while attending the Festival; the meetings he held during his visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21024/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The Cannes Film Festival is one of most prestigious networking events on the international film circuit. Ireland continues to have a prominent presence at the festival through the Irish Film Board, which in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Film Commission, co-sponsors the Irish Pavilion at Cannes. I was delighted to officiate at the formal public launch of the Irish Pavilion in Cannes.

The Irish Film Board is at the heart of the Government's strategy to promote indigenous Irish films and film-makers. It is charged with the task of raising Ireland's profile as an attractive location for film making. I was glad to have had the opportunity, while in Cannes, of re-emphasising the benefits of film making in Ireland.

In the course of my visit to the Festival, I held a number of meetings with influential figures in the European and international film sector accompanied as necessary, by Irish producers, and Irish Film Board representatives. These meetings included:

∙Disney producers Paul Steinke and Mary-Ann Hughes;

∙UK Producer, Greg Brennan from production company Tiger Aspect;

∙US producer Dean Devlin;

∙UK producers Douglas Rae, Robert Bernstein of Ecosse Films, co-producers of "Becoming Jane", now in production in Ireland;

∙Representatives of New Zealand Film Commission;

∙European co-producers, and financiers.

I also met my European Culture Ministerial colleagues and Commissioner Reding and attended a function with the Society of Drama Authors and composers and the Society of Authors, Directors and Producers.

I was also pleased to attend the premiere of the Irish co-production film "The Wind that Shakes the Barley," which has since achieved the pinnacle prize of the Festival, the Palme D'Or, of which we are all very proud. This is the true accolade for film in the world each year and I wish to extend my congratulations to the cast and crew of this wonderful film again.