Irish Television Sector 'must trade internationally'

Independent TV producers are needed to create a healthy balanced, broadcasting environment, according to Huw Jones, Chief Executive of S4C in Wales.
He was speaking at the Irish Television in Focus Seminar, organised by Enterprise Ireland and IBEC's Audiovisual Federation. Joan Egan of Tyrone Productions, Chairperson of Screen Producers Ireland, stated that the independent production sector in Ireland was currently going through a difficult period and expressed concerns that the level of commissions from Irish broadcasters was inadequate to sustain the development of the sector.
Peter D. Coyle, Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland, said: "Difficulties arising from commissioning limitations in the domestic market, along with regulation and infrastructure challenges are affecting the capability of the sector to grow and mature. To grow, the industry needs to develop its capability and competence to trade internationally and it must embrace new technologies and opportunities for distribution of entertainment content across converging platforms."
Cathal Goan of RTE stated that it was unclear how the regulation of broadcasting in Ireland was going to proceed in the future. While welcoming the recent increase in the licence fee granted by the government, he indicated that the 5% set aside from the broadcasting license fees had not been yet allocated to any specific areas or organisations.
John Cummins, Managing Director of Agtel Ltd and Chairman of the IBEC Audiovisual Federation stated that he hoped that, arising from thes eminar, a forum between Irish broadcasters and independent producers would be established, which will facilitate greater dialogue between the independent sector and broadcasting commissioners.
Other speakers included Irial MacMurchu , CEO of Nemeton, Mary Shallman of Morrison and Foester LLP in the US, Andy Anson of OC&C Strategy Consultants in the UK and Andy Ruane CEO of Anner Production.
(GB)