Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----or having responsibility for transport or health and safety, those without whom the actors would not have a stage or location, must sometimes work long after the producer has gone to bed.

There are many aspects to the industry. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht examined this issue. Several issues were subsequently raised with members of the committee involved in producing its report, as well as with other Members who have a long-standing interest in the area. Organisations involved in the film industry want changes and we need a forum in which to listen to them. We must be able to ensure that action is taken where necessary and that legislation is in place to protect these workers, as is the case in every other industry in Ireland.

The Bill relates to the Irish Film Board, but I wish to raise an important associated issue. As I stated, many of those involved in the film industry are temporary workers. We should examine how the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection treats and accounts for those workers. A difficulty arises for many such people in dealing with the Department, whether through the local social welfare inspector or the private companies which are now supposed to seek full-time work for people, when they are awaiting the next production. There can be several months between productions. Very few people in the film industry seamlessly transition from one production to the next. There is downtime. The Department should be mindful of the benefits that accrue to Ireland from the documentaries, dramas and other films that are produced here. It should consider its treatment of those who are genuinely working in the film industry and can prove that through membership of Equity or another union representing film industry workers.

As I stated, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has looked at issues to do with internships and so on. It should give detailed consideration to whether there is a proper internship structure within the film industry such that there is no abuse of workers' rights, such as charging young people who wish to be part of the film industry to be on set, and that proper rates of pay and working hours are in place. Those in the trade understand that shoots may run over time, but workers deserve to be compensated for additional hours worked, as would be the case in any other employment. That is of some relevance to the Bill because companies involved in some of the big shoots in this country refuse to go over budget even if that means that workers are left short. The disregard that is sometimes shown for workers in the industry is totally wrong.

There is no mechanism to resolve human resources grievances in the industry. To whom does one go in such a situation? One may go to one's union, but, as companies are set up on a film-by-film basis, the shoot may be completed and the film released by the time one's complaint is heard.

The promotion of the Irish film industry is of primary importance. There has been an absolute éacht and tremendous work in terms of what Ireland has produced in recent times. We could and should produce far more, given our history and creativity. We can tell stories and act and sell those stories in the medium of film to the best in the world. There should be a greater concentration on home-grown films rather than depending on big film companies to come into the country. Not very many of them have done so. Many people lauded the fact that Star Wars was filmed in Ireland but in reality that formed a minuscule part of the film, although it presented Ireland in a very attractive manner and was very beneficial to the tourism industry on the west coast. The production was not wholly filmed or edited in Ireland. It is probably true that no film is produced in one location from start to finish.

The recent changes in terms of locations and studios will probably attract more and bigger productions but we must also protect our investment, as well as the terms and conditions of those involved in the industry. We must ensure that recipients of funding under section 481 do not abuse that in any way, such as by making a killing for themselves while workers are not being fully paid. We struggle to address issues in many other aspects of our economy such as health, social welfare, housing and so on.

As always seems to happen, some people abuse tax reliefs for their own benefit. The tax relief in question was set up specifically to attract companies to Ireland, enhance our home-grown industry and ensure we have first-class opportunities for all in the film industry, including those involved in making dramas and documentaries. We have proven we are capable of matching the best in the world. I will raise these concerns.

There is a short period in which to submit amendments. We have until 11 a.m. tomorrow to submit amendments before returning to this Bill next week. If I have not formulated those amendments, I do not intend in any way to delay the passage of the Bill but I want to make sure it is stated that my party and I will not tolerate some of the abuses I have heard about in recent weeks, some of which I was aware of before now through friends and colleagues who work in the industry. We have raised this matter in the House in the past. There is an onus on the Minister not only to pass this Bill but also to act on some of the points I have raised and that other Deputies may also raise to ensure the industry will be a fair one and that we will get the best out of it in many senses.

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