Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in welcoming our trade union brothers and sisters in the Visitors Gallery. They have done a hell of a job running a concerted campaign - alongside progressive politicians - over many years to build the case for justice. The case is pretty clear. It is great that there is consensus in this Chamber. That is very significant. It is a good day for this Chamber that we can all recognise that this issue must be addressed. For 14 years, our colleagues have been suffering owing to the ruling under the competition legislation. The ruling was particularly significant. Esther Lynch of the European Trade Union Confederation wrote, "The Authority's decision effectively turned the clock back almost 200 years to the era of the Combination Laws, which made it unlawful for workers to ‘join together’ to press their employer for shorter hours or more pay." The legislation had quite devastating consequences for workers across these sectors. The Arts Council investigated standards of living in this area. Although the investigation was some years ago, it is worth hearing the findings again because they really bring home the crisis in the sector. In 2010, it was found that just two in five professional artists spend all their time working as artists because there is just not enough income for them. One third often or always work more than 55 hours per week. In other words, they have to do additional jobs to supplement their work. The figures from 2008 are still shocking. The average income of a professional artist in 2008 was just under €15,000, with half earning €8,000 or less. In many cases, we are talking about poverty wages. Therefore, this legislation is long overdue.

I wish to credit my colleagues, particularly Senators Nash and Bacik, not just for the quality of the legislation but also for the way in which, in combination with our brothers and sisters in the trade union movement and everyone in the Chamber, cross-party consensus has been built. It is really important that we keep this going. Let us send a united message to the Dáil that this issue must be addressed and that it is fundamental in terms of our respect for the dignity of people who make a huge contribution to our society.

I have not been a Senator for very long but I am used to seeing politicians - clearly not anyone in this Chamber - trying from time to time to grab the limelight when artists do something wonderful. Now is an opportunity for us to pay them back for the wonderful work they do. They had been waiting 14 years to have this wrong addressed. Let us not wait any longer.