Mr. James Hickey:

Without getting into specifics because that is where we get into a difficulty here, the practicality of the matter is that we as Screen Producers Ireland want to conclude collective bargaining agreements with all the people who are involved as performers in productions of films and television drama series. We want to work with the actors, the dancers, the stunt people and whoever else is involved. What we would like to do is make sure that there is an organised collective bargaining system in place in line with the copyright directive.

The copyright directive was introduced last November and it is very new. We are all trying to work our way through to make it work. It entitles authors and performers to fair and proportionate remuneration. We are committed to doing that but it is important that we have everybody working with us. We urge the committee to encourage collective bargaining.