3. Application for certification

(1) An application for a certificate under section 481(1A) of the Act of 1997 shall be made in writing to the Minister by a producer company and shall be submitted at least 21 working days prior to the commencement of the Irish production.

(2) The Minister shall set out the manner and format of an application for a certificate under this regulation, the information that shall accompany such an application in accordance with Schedule 1 to these regulations, and the order and manner that information shall be set out in.

(3) A certificate shall not be issued by the Minister under section 481(2)(a) of the Act of 1997 in relation to a film unless —

(a) the film is eligible for certification under Part 3, and

(b) the Minister is satisfied that the film will either or both -

(i) be of importance to the promotion, development and enhancement of the national culture including, where applicable, the Irish language (referred to as ‘the Culture test’), and

(ii) act as an effective stimulus to film making in the State through, among other things, the provision of quality employment, and training and skills development opportunities (referred to as ‘the Industry development test’).

(4) In issuing a certificate the Minister shall set out:

(a) the conditions—

(i) relating to employment which shall be met by a producer company and qualifying company on the production of the film in accordance with section 481(2)(b)(iv) of the Act of 1997, and

(ii) which shall be met in relation to skills development on the production of the film in accordance with section 481(2)(b)(iv) of the Act of 1997,

(b) the requirements to be met in relation to the acknowledgement in the opening titles and/or closing credits of the film,

(c) the category of film under which the application has qualified for certification pursuant to Part 3, and

(d) whether the film meets the requirements of the Culture test, the Industry development test, or both.