Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My last question is for the Department. The previous Minister, Deputy Humphreys, indicated that she would develop a forum comprised of the heads of the theatres. Can the Department update us on the matter? It might be a good idea were a longer and more embedded industry-wide forum to be developed. Some of the problems that have happened in the arts sector and in the film sector, which is similar, are due to the precarious nature of the work. Workers work on a particular project and when that employment ceases, they must pitch for the next project. There is a risk that if one uses the mechanisms of the State to defend one's rights, one would get a name for oneself, be blacklisted and not be re-employed by the organisation. This issue is particularly prominent in the film industry. Would it be useful to ascertain whether a forum could be constructed that included all of the stakeholders, including unions, representatives etc. in the film and theatre sectors, to consider ways to eradicate the precarious work practices while still allowing the sectors to grow and strengthen?