Madam, - I welcome the announcement by John O'Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, of the new Film Board, in particular the appointment of Kirsten Sheridan who represents the new generation of Irish filmmakers.
I was particularly heartened by the Minister's comment that "film has a unique ability to convey to a wide audience the stories and atmosphere of any local community".
I would like to add to his recognition of the importance of film not just as a means of entertainment but as a historical social and cultural document by stressing the need not only to "support indigenous film-making" but to work aggressively to ensure that Irish moving image heritage is preserved for the benefit of future generations.
At present Ireland has no coherent policy on film preservation. The creation of a national policy on audio-visual heritage must be pursued in a proactive manner, with central Government providing comprehensive and consistent financial resources and legislative support to implement such a policy via the existing bodies (the Irish Film Archive, RTÉ archive) which currently undertake this cultural service.
The recent introduction of the Broadcasting Funding Scheme affords the Government a valuable opportunity "to ensure that suitable arrangements are in place to protect this heritage while facilitating access" (page 51, Report to the Minister from Broadcasting Forum, August 2002).
The issue of AV preservation is correctly identified in the above-mentioned report as having a "non co-ordinated approach within the sector and needing a central organisation to co-ordinate, monitor and preserve material".
However, worryingly, the section dealing with archiving has been delayed due to "the necessity for further research and analysis."
The moving image is the prevalent means of communication of our age and it is imperative that Ireland should follow the lead of other countries and put in place the funding and legislative mechanisms to prevent any further loss of this heritage.
The Irish Film Archive (part of the Irish Film Institute) is well placed to lead the implementation of a State policy on audio visual archiving, as we have been undertaking this task with limited resources for over a decade.
As the only Irish member of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF), the archive has established relationships with international archives, as well as nationally with Government departments, the Irish Film Board and film-makers.
We also undertake extensive promotion of Irish film culture abroad via our festival work with the Department of Foreign Affairs and through successful initiatives such as last year's Green Screen programme, thus contributing significantly to the understanding and appreciation of Irish film worldwide.
Delegation of responsibility to the Irish Film Archive in relation to AV preservation would allow a comprehensive and consistent national policy to be put in place - a necessity if this heritage is to survive. - Yours, etc.,
KASANDRA O'CONNELL, Head of the Irish Film Archive, Irish Film Institute, Eustace Street, Dublin 2.