The head of Disney in Ireland has said that a lack of studio space could lead to the country missing out on new investment opportunities.

Trish Long, general manager of Walt Disney Studios' distribution business in Ireland spoke to the Irish Independent - she says that there is a "huge" need for more studios. She adds that if there is no studio space available here, the UK offers a strong alternative for filmmakers:

"As the industry picks up, it's going to become more and more difficult, because if someone has a need for studio space and it can't be filled here, right on our doorstep is the UK - which has the most amazing infrastructure of studio space."

Ardmore Studios in Bray is the country's largest studio, and Siún Ní Raghallaigh, its CEO has said that it has been forced to turn away business.

She has called on the Government to establish a €15m fund for investment in studio infrastructure - and said that the number of people employed in Ireland's audiovisual industry could double by 2022.

Ardmore has teamed up with the Limerick city and county council to approach the State to request funding to develop a 340,000sq ft production hub - talks relating to the proposals are on-going.