Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for contributing. At the outset, I acknowledge the work of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight. It was a substantive piece of work that my Department has closely observed and the officials are fully aware of the recommendations set out within that report.

We need to bring it back to first principles. In this section, we are setting out a massive opportunity for the creative industry in Ireland. To go from a cap of €70 million to €125 million is a very big step. It is a major commitment by Government and taxpayers to the industry. I, like members, want to see an industry that is growing, thriving, has more opportunity for people who are involved in the sector, has more employment and, of course, good terms and conditions for all of those involved in the sector. It is important to put that on the record first and foremost because that is what this section does and this is what the industry broadly has been seeking.

The Minister, Deputy Martin, made a very strong case, which I supported. I am enabling the industry to grow into the future. Yes, there are ongoing issues we will need to deal with as part of that. In respect of those issues, my key point is that the way to progress them is through engagement. For example, recommendation No. 14 in the report of the Committee of Budgetary Oversight relates to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media convening a stakeholder forum.

Those plans are being put in place. The Department of Finance will be involved in that. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment also needs to be involved in that. This is about focusing on the broader issues, the future of the industry, how we maximise the potential that we are now opening up in terms of section 481, and what the structure of the industry is into the future. Of course, that stakeholder forum will be working to agreed terms of reference which I am sure the members will be given an opportunity to input into. I want to reaffirm that there is a very close working relationship between the Department of Finance and the Department with responsibility for tourism in relation to all of these issues, and there will continue to be into the future.

The substantive issues that have been raised primarily relate to terms and conditions. As I said, I absolutely want to see the best possible terms and conditions available for all of those who are working in this sector into the future. Comment has been made about the strike in the US and the impact of that. I think what that shows is the power of the union movement and the power of the unions. The way forward here is through engagement. It is my understanding that both Irish Equity and Screen Producers Ireland, SPI, have indicated that they are willing to begin discussions with a view to reaching a new collective agreement for actors and performers. I look forward to progress being achieved by the relevant parties. That is the way of addressing the issues in relation to terms and conditions into the future. I think we can point to success that there has been in that regard in the last number of years. We should acknowledge that a huge amount of work has been done and a lot of progress has been made. A modernised film crew agreement was introduced in January 2021 for shooting crews. In July of last year, SPI and the ICTU Film Construction Group of Unions secured a construction crew agreement, making provision, for example, for the construction workers' pension scheme and a whole range of other issues provided for in that agreement about hourly pay rates, overtime rates, allowances, the guaranteed working week, disputes procedures, etc. If that can be done for one part of the industry through discussion, engagement and collaboration, then it can be done for all other parts of the industry as well.