asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he will give assurances with respect to the closure of Ardmore Film Studios, Bray, County Wicklow, that in disposing of the assets of the company he will ensure that a film-making studio facility is retained there.

I am extremely anxious that a film-making facility be retained at Ardmore. The Deputy can be assured that every effort will be made to achieve this. I am sure he will accept, however, that a commitment to retain a film-making facility regardless of cost cannot realistically be given.

In view of the fact that we have a film board charged with the responsibility to develop our film industry, would the Minister not agree that in considering the liquidation of the Ardmore Film Studios, if the liquidator is unable to ensure the continuation in operation of the film studios at Ardmore, it is vitally important for our future film industry that at least some part of those studios should be retained for the making of films? Would he not agree that this is vitally important in view of the fact that we have a film board who are trying to encourage the film industry in Ireland?

I accept that it is in the best interests of everybody that a film-making facility should be retained at Ardmore, and I am working towards achieving that objective.

Can I have a guarantee from the Minister that, in disposing of the assets of the Ardmore Film Studios, a portion at least of those studios will be retained for the purpose of making films in Ireland?

Offers have been made. If we arrive at a contract stage, it will be written on the basis mentioned by the Deputy, so that facilities for film-making will be retained.

In view of the importance of the film industry, not only to the image of Ireland abroad but also to tourism earnings in the whole area of north Wicklow, is the Minister considering having consultations with Bord Fáilte and the Eastern Regional Tourism Organisation regarding the desirability of having national film studios situated at Ardmore?

The views of all interested parties have been sought. The view of the Board of the National Film Studios is that it would be more appropriate that money spent on the National Film Studios should be directly invested in film production and that although the establishment of the Irish Film Board is greatly welcomed its available funds are too small to have more than a marginal effect on the studios. In effect, the Board said that whatever money is to be expended should be expended by the National Film Board.

Can the Minister indicate what the annual losses were over the past three or four years?

I may not have that information. I want to give it accurately.

Is the Minister aware that the Committee of Public Accounts fully supported the action taken by him? When the report was placed before this House there was all-party agreement and acceptance of it. That report urged the Minister to take the decision he has now taken.

I have some information. Ardmore Film Studios were purchased by the Government in 1973 at a cost of £.5 million in the belief that this was an essential prerequisite to the development of the film industry in Ireland. The total employment in the company was 46. Total Exchequer grants of £1.5 million were paid since the company were set up. The company incurred losses of the order of £.5 million per annum before grants, due to their inability to attract sufficient business and the lack of a proper capital structure which resulted in heavy interest payments. The losses projected for this year alone were approximately £780,000. Indebtedness to the banks had reached almost £2 million. That puts the loss situation into perspective.

Would the Minister not agree that a studio is as important to a film-making industry as the Abbey Theatre is to playwrights and the theatre industry? In view of the fact that we have the National Film Board, would the Minister guarantee to come back to the House before the assets of the Ardmore Film Studios are finally sold, especially if we will not have film-making facilities in Ireland after they are sold?

I have already indicated to the House that my objective is that film-making facilities will be retained at Ardmore as far as possible, but that cannot be done regardless of cost. I have made that abundantly clear. The objective is that the film facilities at Ardmore will be retained as far as is humanly possible.

Might one gather with accuracy from the Minister's reply so far that any moneys being saved will be translated directly into film-making capacity by Irish film-makers?

In relation to that I can only say that there will be no money saved this year because there was no money provided for the situation in Ardmore Studios.