An unconditional sale of Ardmore Studios in Co Wicklow will not be acceptable, according to Sinn Féin.

TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady made the call following a protest outside Leinster House on Wednesday, 30 November.

A petition with over 2,500 signatures was handed in to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O'Connor.

Teachta Brady said: "The recent announcement that Ardmore Studios is to be sold came as a huge shock to all those involved in Ardmore Studios and also to me as a public representative.

"During previous meetings, I held with the CEO, discussions were about the expansion of Ardmore Studios and never any potential sell off. The huge concern was highlighted in the huge numbers that turned up to the protest today.

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"Ardmore Studios are internationally renowned as Ireland's leading provider of film and TV studio infrastructure. The studios are highly regarded and have been home to hundreds of national and international film and TV productions since it was established in 1958.

"The silence from Ministers Heather Humphreys and Mary Mitchell O'Connor to numerous representations that have made to their offices cannot continue.

"On the one hand, Minister for Arts Humphreys has launched a new economic analysis on screen based creative industries and on the other hand, both Ministers have failed to address the potential sale of the State's almost 32% share in Ardmore Studios.

"The Ministers must confirm that the State's shares will be protected and if the private shares are to be sold, this must be as a going concern. Any unconditional sale of Ardmore Studios will not be acceptable.

"It is essential that the prospectus in relation to the sale of Ardmore Studios is made available to both the employees and concerned public representatives."

(CD/JP)