Mr. Séamus Dooley:

What we do know is that currently the technology giants are paying nothing. They rely for a great deal of the information they have on their website on the very people I represent and who are represented here. There has been support for this call from the NUJ and from a number of countries. The technology giants are flexing their muscle and in this country in particular there is a certain degree of fear as to how they might react but, to put it bluntly, we have to have the courage of our convictions. We have to say there is a limit to what the State will be able to provide. These people have very deep pockets but just as the labourer is worthy of the hire, so are the publishers and the broadcasters. We at least need an engagement with these people and we need to ask them what they are prepared to pay. They will provide all sorts of philanthropic schemes and offer various schemes on their terms. All that does is make them look good. What we are looking for is a more structured and formal process of engagement.