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Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, today (Friday, 27 June, 2014) congratulated Irish actors Michael Fassbender and Cillian Murphy, who are among 20 actors who have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Fassbender and Murphy have been nominated to the Academy as individuals who have "distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures." The works of note cited for the invitations to the two Irish actors are '12 Years a Slave' and 'Shame' for Michael Fassbender, and 'The Dark Knight Rises' and 'Inception' for Cillian Murphy.

Congratulating them on their nominations, Minister Deenihan said:

“I would like to congratulate Michael Fassbender and Cillian Murphy on their nomination to the Academy. Film is an international business and it is wonderful to see Irish actors doing so well on the world stage. The Irish Film industry grew by over 18% last year, and was up 42% on 2011, contributing over €168 million to the Irish economy through job creation and spend on local goods and services and the Government is currently developing incentives to make Ireland an even more competitive location for film internationally. Ireland’s reputation in the global industry is of course enhanced by the true talent of our great actors and I am delighted to see both Michael and Cillian receiving the deserved recognition of their peers.”