Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)

In fairness, Deputy Ó Snodaigh has synopsised well. A designated activity company is set up. It might be the same producer. Those involved may employ the same people for a number of years but they are seen as the employer and then they suddenly disappear. Therefore they cannot be held to account. I have outlined the particular issue is if somebody does try to raise a head of steam on issues that might pertain to the ratio or the work practices.

We want to make sure we have decent work practices and that we ensure the product delivered is good and ensures a sustainable film industry. We need to find a means of dealing with this. We cannot have a scenario of people being blackballed when just looking for the enforcement of their rights. Deputy Ó Snodaigh referred to disapplication. We are dealing with a scenario where there is no real application at this point in time. Again, there are disputes even regarding what agreements have been made in the industry and who has a right to make an agreement. That is for another day. Whatever happens with this amendment, we really need to deal with this particular issue. We need to make sure we have a sustainable film industry and that means we have to look after workers' rights. We need to make sure people are not being forced into scenarios where they are signing away their residuals. We are talking about rights and ensuring we have people who we want to see in the creative process. At this point in time I have real deep worries. We need to make sure we find the means of dealing with this. This is step in the right direction, but even if this is not supported by Government, we do need a long-term solution.

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