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

I thank Deputy Boyd Barrett. I agree with him wholeheartedly about the talent that is in Ireland. We want to unleash that talent and that is why we are making this change in the Finance (No. 2) Bill which has been long called for. The benefits of this will be felt far and wide not just by the big producers who come in here to make movies or a drama series. It will percolate down through the system providing valuable work for people throughout the industry. As we have seen in so many other industries where we have international investment, it helps to create an ecosystem where the domestic sector can grow and thrive as well.

Many specific issues were raised that I do not believe are directly relevant to the Finance (No. 2) Bill, such as contracts of indefinite duration and the role of the WRC, and I am not sure if it has concluded on the specific case referred to, the DAC, but it has powers to make a decision in respect of where the substantive employment relationship lies. The Deputy spoke about contract of employment versus for employment. I acknowledge that for many in the industry the nature of the work is irregular and can be precarious. We are trying to create an environment where there is a more regular, steady stream of work, through investment internationally into the sector.

However, to come back to the key points I made earlier on, I believe the future lies in the stakeholder forum that the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, is establishing and in which we will play a direct role. We are fully prepared to engage in respect of these issues to see what further progress can be made.

On the terms and conditions, history tells us that in this sector and others, when people sit around the table and agree on what is the appropriate framework and what the terms and conditions should be, whether it be in the form of a sectorial agreement or in any other form, a collective agreement for actors and performers, that is the way to make progress. I do not want to meddle with the Finance (No. 2) Bill in a way that would undermine the central purpose of what we are trying to do. We are increasing the cap which will create more activity and opportunity. There are issues on which we need to continue to work but the Finance (No. 2) Bill is not the appropriate vehicle for doing so. I am not in the position to accept the Deputy's amendment.