Scrapping a proposed measure which would see essential funding diverted towards domestic filmmaking places the future of Irish storytelling at risk, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly.
Deputy Farrelly, who’s the party’s Arts and Media spokesperson, said:
“Minister Patrick O’Donovan’s decision to withdraw support for a levy which would foster Irish filmmaking talent and increase its viability as a career is baffling.
“The measure has cross-party support, yet the Minister feels the need to bulldoze that progress at the expense of our indigenous creative industry.
“International giants like Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV are squeezing the life from our local productions, yet no supports have been provided to preserve our tradition of Irish storytelling on the big and small screen.
“A levy would ensure a small portion of the millions paid to international streaming services is reinvested in domestic filmmaking.
“Without this measure, the already precarious career paths of screenwriters, directors, animators and composers, among others, will face further jeopardy.
“The findings of a feasibility study which regulator Coimisiún na Meán presented to the Minister in January for an audio-visual content levy and fund must now be published to shed light on this bizarre decision.
“Coimisiún na Meán is meant to be independent from government influence, yet the Minister is clearly seeking to undermine its report.
“Measures like this are already the norm across Europe, empowering the domestic films of France, Italy and Spain to feature at numerous international film festivals every year, as well as finding box office success and bolstering local economy.
“I fully support the coalition of industry stakeholders who back this levy and I urge the Minister to meet with them and reconsider this misguided decision.”
April 9th, 2025