We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Ruth Negga Oscar nomination

Summary

Senator Byrne congratulated Ruth Negga on her Oscar nomination and said it reflected well on Limerick and Irish talent.

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 are absolutely ecstatic about her nomination. Ruth has always said she is from Limerick. Her 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 that Ruth 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 production in Ireland. Troy Studios in Limerick is based at the old Dell plant, has 350,000 sq. ft. of studio space and is the second largest studio outside Dublin. Shannon Airport makes it very accessible. As this is an area Ireland is trying to enhance, I ask the Leader to bring the Minister to the House for a debate on the film industry and how we can help it.

Comment on this