Tax reliefs for film production in Ireland must be improved to cope with foreign competition, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has said.
John O'Donoghue said he had urged the Department of Finance to increase the €15 million cap on film tax reliefs. "I am hoping that we can increase that cap substantially, but I couldn't say that we will, though," he told The Irish Times.
The Minister is with the trade mission in an effort to encourage Indian film-makers - who control the biggest film industry in Asia - to shoot some of their movies in Ireland. Eleven 'Bollywood' films have been shot in Ireland over the past two years. The industry is the world's largest producer of feature films.
The Irish Film Board is represented by film commissioner Naoise Barry. Brendan Goss of Pucan, an Irish film production company that has serviced Indian productions in Ireland, is also taking part.