Mr. David Collins:

On a point that Ms O'Loughlin made, sustainability should be an overall goal. Ms O'Loughlin referenced a camera operator. A director of photography hires the camera operator. Let us say one had an in-house camera operator for a feature film. The chances of the director of photography, who the funders want for their film, hiring the camera operator is probably very small. Therefore, one would build up an overhead but have no work for that person and also tying up that person who then would not be free to earn money elsewhere. I am not quite sure if the big building analogy is appropriate. We should explore sustainability with SIPTU in a serious way. In principle, the goal of sustainability is a really good one but we must parse and analyse the position regarding shooting crews. I think the industry works on meritocracy. If one is a good camera operator, one has no trouble getting work. It is not about prejudice, it is about a creative choice that is made. These people, at that level, can command sufficient funds that if they work for six months they can take six months off, if they so wish. It is a lifestyle choice that is hard-earned and hard-won. In the film industry there may be pockets of labour that would appreciate sustainability. However, there may be other pockets of labour that would rise to the challenge of a meritocracy. We need an industry that encompasses both of those objectives. That is a conversation that SPI needs to have with SIPTU.