Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right when she says we need to change the culture. It has to be changed and that is why I want to remind, retrain and highlight again the responsibilities that individual organisations have towards their staff. It is important that they are made aware of it. Sometimes practices creep in and become the norm although they are unacceptable. That is why people need to familiarise themselves with good practice and the law governing all of this - employment law and provisions in respect of harassment and bullying in the workplace. There is a lot of legislation there. In fact, we probably have some of the best legislation in Europe in that respect. It is about adhering to that legislation and changing the culture.

First of all, I am bringing in the heads of the theatre organisations who signed the statement. I want to have a conversation with them and to hear what they have to say. I am happy to work them and I want to work with the sector to stamp out this type of behaviour. It is absolutely unacceptable. As the Deputy rightly says, we want to see that it is a safe environment for young people entering the industry.

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