Ms Susan Kirby:

I thank Senator Byrne for his question. I am aware of some of the commentary to which he referred. The Senator will understand it is not within my gift to comment on individual cases. SPI members are committed to quality employment provision. SPI advocated for a Workplace Relations Commission audit, which was conducted in 2019 and found overall a very clean bill of health in the sector. It is a buoyant sector. One of the great pleasures of my job is meeting with and speaking to SPI producer members and noting their pride in the work they produce, the importance they place on their employment and how they give back.

In regard to the audit, it is important to note four key areas were highlighted that we as a sector are addressing with the support of the key agencies responsible, those are, Screen Ireland, Screen Skills Ireland and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. One of the four areas alluded to is good industrial relations. As Senator Byrne mentioned, SPI recently signed a shooting crew agreement and work on a number of other agreements is under way. We are committed to having industry stability through these agreements. Sectoral development was also pointed to. Senator Byrne mentioned a commitment to training and sectoral development. I do not think anyone would argue with that. We see that as core to our strategic development, both as SPI and as the sector. We are working with Screen Ireland and other partners on competency frameworks and skills traineeships as part of section 481 compliance. These are independently adjudicated upon by the Department. The producer companies are compliant.

The guild structures were identified as an important part of the sector. Again, we have detailed engagement with the guild structures. They were part of the consultation process for the agreement with the shooting crew and they are involved in some of the upcoming agreements. The final area pointed to was HR practice. As SPI and as industry partners, we work closely. Mr. McCabe will, I am sure, say similar in terms of development of the animation sector and reporting on how we can continue to develop the sectors in all areas of the life cycle in terms of entry and access, which includes everything from diversity and inclusion to encouraging people such that they see the sector as an attractive career path within which there is career progression, while also future-proofing the sector because this is a sector that has enormous potential and ambition to grow. We want to be future-proofed by way of the skill set that is there.

The fantastic talent and quality that comes from partnership is testament to the inward investment that happens in the sector. For clarity, there is no agreement currently between Irish Equity and Screen Producers Ireland for film. There was an agreement which was negotiated in good faith and signed by us, but due to internal governance issues for Irish Equity, the agreement was deemed by it to be invalid. We understand Irish Equity has taken steps to address the issues and we would welcome and are committed to re-engagement. Our members operate all of the agreements with ICTU-affiliated unions. As I said in my first point, this is a sector with enormous potential, quality and talent. It is strategically important and business critical to us as SPI and to our members that sectoral development is at the forefront of our future. I hope I have answered the Senator's question.