Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not.

I thank Deputy Joan Collins for acknowledging the progress made in the area of training. As she is probably aware, the new conditions in respect of section 481 require recipients of public money to observe all employment laws. The onus has been placed on recipients to prevent bullying between workers involved in productions. I also point out to the Deputy that Screen Guilds of Ireland members are workers in the film industry, not employers. I reiterate that the film forum was never meant to be a place where disputes would be resolved. That has never been its purpose. How does it differ from what occurred in the AV room today, for example? The Deputy mentioned section 481 with reference to the written policies that have to be in place on grievances, discipline and dignity at work, including harassment, bullying and equal opportunity.

Deputies Maureen O'Sullivan and Boyd Barrett raised points that were also raised by other Deputies. There is a mistaken belief overall as to what constitutes a film forum. This was borne out by a letter I received from the Irish Film Workers Association, IFWA, in which it asked that I set up a film forum to allow organisations to address allegations of bullying. The committee proposed a film forum "to allow all stakeholders to meet and work together to develop mutually beneficial solutions for the industry". It appears that rather than adopting a collaborative, inclusive approach in an atmosphere where ideas are exchanged and developed for the good of the industry, the forum would involved little more than an airing of disputes and grievances and that we cannot work together to develop solutions which would benefit the industry. In any case, as we know, the State provides institutions to addressing HR issues such as allegations of bullying. Deputy Boyd Barrett organised the meeting today. The people who refused to enter the forum are employees and workers in the industry. Representatives of the producer companies that receive section 481 relief will attend the forum if employees attend.

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