Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will not take long because I covered many of the points I wished to make when I spoke on the Bill last Thursday. It is regrettable that amendments which could have had a positive impact on the industry have been ruled out of order. Whatever about the increase in the loan capacity from €300 million to €500 million, the extension of section 481 and the increase to €100 million in the maximum tax relief for the film industry, the promotion of equality and fair employment within the industry was attached to the introduction of those measures. Equality and fair employment is provided for by the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003 or the Organisation of Working Time Act, but the Acts are not having the desired effect.

As I explained last Thursday, I have spoken with workers in the industry who have worked in it for 20 years. These workers were on registered lists of employees or trainees when they entered the industry. They have seen the way the industry has gone over the past 14 or 15 years. They are not mad, agitators or difficult people. Rather, they are trying to ensure the job in which they work gives them the money to at least pay mortgages, bills, for their children's upbringing, food to put on the table and for all the things that are expected. Section 481 is supposed to ensure equality and fair employment within the industry, but we are not seeing it. Surely the best way to approach this is to provide for regulations attached to the section to examine registers of employees, trainees and apprenticeships in order that they can be checked against the figures that the industry claims.

I support the amendments, in particular, Deputy Boyd Barrett's amendment, which provides for the reconfiguring and expansion of the board of Screen Ireland to include workers representing various parts of the industry, such as actors and people work with props or in production. It is important the Minister produces the report outlined in the amendment.

Section 481 requires employers to ensure equality and fair employment in order to be eligible to receive the €100 million but if there are no checks on how it is working, it is a failure of the Oireachtas and the Government. If it is the case that there is equality and fair employment, where are the people and where are they on the list? Do they work full time, pay PAYE and provide money to the Exchequer through their taxes?

See this speech in context