Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The first part of my amendment deals with a relatively small group of people who raised concerns with the National Union of Journalists. They included freelance photographers, voice-over actors, freelance journalists and so on. For years such individuals could work with Irish Equity, SIPTU or the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland to generate a deal between themselves and their employing organisation.

The NUJ negotiated freelance rates at a national level and published fee guides but, strangely, action was taken by the Competition Authority to the detriment of the workers. Representative organisations should be able to deal with such individuals as they negotiate pay and conditions. They were seen, through a very narrow lens, as sole traders when in fact they operated together. It is logical that the Government should sort this out. The Government made a commitment in Towards 2016 to resolve this issue so it has already stated that it is on the same side as the workers, the NUJ and SIPTU. The amendment I have tabled will address this.

The second part of the amendment acknowledges this issue also affects representatives of small retailers. Proper competition happens when a fair power structure exists between seller and buyer. Often the perfect competition experience can be seen in small newsagents and retailers, yet oligopolies exist among suppliers. This applies to suppliers of newspapers, certain media, telephone cards, bill pay plans and so on. The relationship is very lopsided.

In countries such as Australia small businesses can come together and use a representative organisation to equalise the imbalance and provide advice to members rather than binding contracts. Members can choose to take what is on offer or not. I encourage the Minister to support these amendments.

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