Brussels, 09/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - In virtue of the provisions contained within the EC Treaty on aid to the promotion of culture, the European Commission has authorised public funding to the tune of 12 million pounds sterling to the Irish Language Broadcast Fund (United Kingdom), for the period 2005-2008. These funds will go to pay for television and cinema productions in the Irish language, and the Commission feels that this will help to promote Irish cultural products. The objective of the fund is to promote the Irish language in Northern Ireland, by producing and distributing televised programs and cinema films. In order to benefit from this support, the film or television programme must be made in Irish, and each work must be subtitled in English. The works must also have an artistic quality if they are to be broadcast on existing platforms and those being developed, including analogue, digital, online and interactive media, and reach out to a broad public in Northern Ireland. Beneficiaries will be independent audiovisual production companies and, exceptionally, broadcasters. "I am very pleased to authorise this state aid in favour of cultural and regional identity", said Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.