Mr. Michael O'Brien:

We are having this discussion within a broader context that goes beyond the scope of this Bill, namely the factors that hinder trade union recognition and organising, so that we can guard against a race to the bottom in the sector in the context of private companies getting more opportunities to bid in and potentially take work previously done by RTÉ. We have experienced in other sectors the effrontery of private companies effectively gaining State contracts and public money, not recognising unions or availing of the conciliation services of the WRC and Labour Court, and not a damn thing being done by the authorities in the State. We are confronted by this scenario again. What are we asking for? What has been mentioned is the minimum wage directive. The Government says it does not require any special measures to enhance it, which is patently untrue given the voluntary nature of industrial relations in this country. We are on a potential collision course in the sector. If the trade union movement does its work correctly, makes inroads in organising and tries to establish a floor comparable with what has been enjoyed historically in RTÉ and other unionised firms, then broadcast productions will be interrupted by industrial action.