Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the film industry in the week that is in it. This is an opportunity to congratulate Irish people on their Oscar nominations. The annual global spotlight on the Oscars is now shining on Ireland's culture, our beautiful scenery and, most particularly, our creative talent. The House will join me in congratulating the casts and crews of "An Cailín Ciúin" and "The Banshees of Inisherin", including Colm Bairéad and the team, Kerry Condon, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan and Martin McDonagh. I also congratulate other Irish nominees - Paul Mescal, Richard Baneham and Jonathan Redmond - on their nominations. It is a pleasure to be able to name so many Irish people who are making their mark on a global stage. Success breeds success and Ireland is a more attractive location for film-making as a result.

I understand that the Deputy is referring to matters raised at the Committee on Budgetary Oversight's examination of section 481. I am aware that the committee has taken evidence from many witnesses and organisations as well as from officials from my Department. As I understand it, many different views were expressed to the committee, with most witnesses underlining the importance of section 481 to the audiovisual industry and to Ireland.

I respect and am passionate about the rights of workers, but as I have stated previously, this matter does not fall to my Department. Employment law is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as are the mechanisms for dealing with disputes - the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and the Labour Court. These are the appropriate avenues for complaints relating to employment law. I ask that, if the Deputy is aware of wrongdoing, he please bring that information to the WRC.

I understand that the intellectual property issue raised by Equity focuses on the question of whether residuals are paid. This is a matter for consideration by the members of Equity in conjunction with SIPTU. If they so decide, they can enter into negotiation with the organisations and companies that engage them.

I wish to bring to the attention of the House that our Oscar-nominated films were made during Covid. They should be applauded for this. Every one of the cast and crew of the films worked under difficult restrictive protocols at all times during production. I am so proud of our film industry today.

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