Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

From the contributions, particularly the last contribution, there is a great deal of conflict on the part of a number of people in the industry. The role of the Dáil is to ensure film-making thrives in Ireland and in an environment where people's rights are protected. The previous speaker evidenced conflict, which would pretty much indicate a breakdown. It is welcome that the Deputy mentioned several people who might be acceptable as chair and who have long experience of conflict resolution in employment matters.

Our modern film industry very much rests on the foundation created by the first Minister for culture in the State, Michael D. Higgins, who was a member of a Labour Party Government some time ago. It was a condition of the Labour Party going into government that we would create a Department and Minister for culture. I am aware that the previous speaker rarely praises the Labour Party, but the approach in developing cultural institutions in Ireland by our now President, Michael D. Higgins, was largely based on profound respect for people who are involved in what might be described as the creative industries, of which film-making is definitely one. As we know, there are now associated developments in areas like video and media in general. We also have to recognise that this is now a globalised industry, based on a particular model. Irish film makers who want to be successful on a global stage must work within that environment, which is not always perfect, from an Irish point of view.

It is a complex issue. It is welcome that the previous speaker put forward a number of names of people with long experience of trade unions and dispute issues in an effort to find a resolution, which is positive.

The critical role of the State in recent times relates to section 481. That is a key funding element for the industry. We are all aware - I have raised this issue on many occasions - that that tax break funding in effect should go to real productions which have an output that can be verified. In that context, I bring attention to a Private Members' Bill I produced more than a year ago on tax law reform and codification, and the creation of the structure in regard to our tax which would continuously review, examine, question, and audit developments in tax that may lead to tax not going for tax breaks for the purposes intended, but which go unexamined and for which a permanent review mechanism is not provided. Within the Revenue Commissioners, permanent examination takes place of people involved in film making, whether in a company, a contractor or an employee format, according to the different elements of the tax code. The core funding finance port to the film industry in Ireland is through section 481 and there was broad agreement here, including from the previous speaker, to continue the section 481 mechanism. As I said, I have brought forward a Bill that would allow that examination over a range of tax breaks, not just the film break, to see if they remain relevant and give taxpayers value for money and a return. I would welcome the support of some of the parties who are being critical of section 481, but have also indicated that they support it as a continuing funding mechanism.

It is a globalised industry and is not simply confined to the island of Ireland. We have also discussed what is happening in Northern Ireland. As to the creative culture in this country, areas like screen writing, film making and film production are vital to the film industry. I know many people who work in the film industry. In some cases, they are happy to be private contractors while in other cases they want employee status.

When I was Minister for Social Protection, I set up a working group to look definitively at this whole area. It took us several years to get the Government to publish that report, even though it had been signed off on by the relevant Departments, and those months of delay ran into several years. We now have more capacity, as an Oireachtas, to provide oversight. I would welcome support for the Labour Party's Bill which is sitting in cold storage, to use the current political term, because it relates to tax and the money message issue.

I do not believe there is just one solution. The second issue, about which I have spoken previously, is training people in the industry and I include in that degree courses. In journalism, which in some ways is a parallel and related industry, that the amount of traditional employment available is diminishing because of the advance of technology and social media. Similar things are happening in the film industry. It is important that where dedicated people, particularly young people, are doing a four-year degree and perhaps a masters degree, we have a structure of serious and meaningful work experience for them in the industry. There are very talented people who may get lucky breaks or who may have contacts in the industry. As with many artistic and craft areas, there is a high degree of connectivity in the industry, where people have relations, parents, or people their parents know, and they seem to have access. I worry about people from working class areas who are really talented, but do not have those familial connections.

Deputy Broughan, who is in the Chair, is a former teacher and will know what I am talking about in terms of my constituency and his one, where the talent is just as intense on the ground as it is in places like south County Dublin.

They have the connections. Kids who live on and students from the north side often do not have them. It would be welcome if people with Kevin Duffy's reputation got involved, if he were willing to do so; it would be a big job. He produced the report on apprenticeships. Apprenticeship used to be a traditional route into the industry for people who really wanted to work in it and still is in areas such as camera work and lighting. There is a need for more opportunities for students from DEIS schools or more traditional working class backgrounds who do not have parental connections. They should have a fair opportunity to contribute to the industry and bring their creativity to all of us and the general population.

I am anxious about the issue of education in the context of the report. There are extensive courses available, but at times one worries that there are not enough employment opportunities arising from them or specific training opportunities. If we could address that issue, we could resolve some of the difficulties that have been spoken about. If all else fails, we should bring back President Michael D. Higgins to give some encouragement and advice. We all want to see people working with proper pay and conditions. They should be able to use their creativity not only for their own benefit but also to add incredibly to the cultural richness and experience of the country.

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