A review of the sustainability of the Irish Film Board was carried out by the government following a recommendation from the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (An Bord Ship Nua) in July 2009 that the IFB should be replaced by a new enterprise development agency.

On hearing of the decision to keep the Irish Film Board in its existing form following a major review, James Morris, the IFB chairman said, ‘I would like to acknowledge the role of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen in support the Irish film industry and the work of the IFB as the industry development agency. He described the Government’s decision as a ‘a strong endorsement of the economic value of the film and television production sector to the emerging digital economy. It is also an acknowledgement of the cultural value of Irish artistic and creative work in building Ireland’s international profile.’

The proposed abolition of the IFB sparked outrage throughout the industry in Ireland, and in October 2009 a number of key industry figures appealed for the IFB and Irish Arts Council to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Arts, Sport & Tourism.