They know where the single socks go.

Sentiment score: 0.00

I have already put some of this on the record, so I will not delay proceedings. We are dealing with film, which is an important industry in Ireland and we need to treat it as such. What we have done over the years, despite criticism, is to create, or recreate, a film industry that we hope will stand the test of time. In doing so, we have forgone a lot of tax revenue, which is what tax relief is. We have invested in the Irish Film Board and are today allowing it to expend more on projects. I do not think anybody has a problem with that purpose. Most of us have seen at least some of the fruits of the investment in recent years and have also seen the potential for further growth. That is why it is to the benefit of the Irish Film Board and the industry as a whole that we further invest and try to bed down where we have got to, continue to try to keep up with an ever-changing market, and identify the threats coming from AI and from other jurisdictions, including our nearest one, which has changed tax policies as well to try to reap some of the rewards. In doing all of that, we also have to be mindful of problems that have been raised over time, not only outside of here but also in this House. Some of them can be addressed quite quickly and some of them are being addressed. It is not every single film company, DAC or producer that is trying to gain some advantage by abusing workers' rights, including their right to proper remuneration. That is why the message needs to go out. I will use this opportunity to try to ensure that the message goes out from us, who are setting the law, that you are not allowed to breach the EU copyright directive, you are not allowed to chance your arm. That message does not seem to always be heard - that you are not allowed to blacklist workers, you are not allowed to withhold funding, and you are not allowed to join the race to the bottom. At the end of the day, we want an industry that we are proud of, pays people well, and ensures they are employed and can take home not just the enjoyment they have from being involved in a film, but wages to pay the bills, especially as we face into crisis after crisis in terms of people's ability to have a disposable income. That is why I have raised these issues over the years. I have also raised the issue of the regional uplift - the Gaeltacht uplift - and ensuring that we use the opportunity of giving tax relief so that more of the artistic endeavours of others in Ireland benefit from it. We have some of the best composers in the world, yet there are film companies, DACs, producers and others who are behind the films importing music or importing composers to come to Ireland to compose rather than us making sure that, in our cultural test for the section 481 relief, the best comes out. Having said all of that, we are not as bad as we were ten years ago. There is an acknowledgement of the changes the Minister and others before him have made. Some of that is because, in fairness to people in this House, people get up and raise the issues. We have had the support of those involved in the industry. They have told us the truth and explained to us how the film industry works. That is why we supported the tax relief for the unscripted programmes and the additional funding for animation. I hope little things like those will continue to happen to address shortfalls or problems that emerge. The European copyright directive was set in train, and I would have gone further than it, but at the very least should be used as a yardstick by which people's rights are not undermined and are not bought off them in the way they have been over the years, where people end up with no benefit whatsoever. Their work and identities are continuously used to make further and further profits for those who are behind this. I will use the opportunity to say that, if we had the audiovisual levy, maybe the Minister would have an extra €25 million to invest every year without having to give a tax relief.

Sentiment score: 0.29

I will tax anything if it helps workers.

Sentiment score: 0.38

You can, if it helps workers to get a better standard of life and if it helps Ireland through the crises that have come before us and face us into the future. That is why taxation is there, to ensure the tax is aimed at the right people - those who are making huge profits. That is why people are talking about the audiovisual sector. I will not go down that road, but it is vital. People say it will be passed on to those who are paying for these services in the first place. That has not been seen to happen in other countries, since the companies have so much money. I will not labour that point. We need to ensure we get the best benefit from the legislation. There seems to be new legislation every single year, as we plug holes or as issues are identified that, if we make a small change, can benefit the industry as a whole. I have no problem with this legislation. We should take the opportunity over the next year, if at all possible, to try to get legislation other than this very narrow legislation where we can thrash out some of the other issues, if there is a need, as others and I believe there is, to plug holes in areas that are causing angst among some and major hardship to people who are trying to be workers in the industry but who have been sidelined or blacklisted over years.

Sentiment score: 0.25

I have one or two brief comments in response to what the Minister had to say. I welcome the fact that we will, hopefully within the next year, be dealing with a Bill that will cover gaming. The Minister should read the article in The Currency today about The Digital Hub, where many gaming companies had set up. Strangely, the agency is spending a lot of money on derelict sites even though it does not even control them any more. That is a separate issue from that of section 481. Ultimately, because of the nature of these arrangements, the Department of Finance has to get some information from the likes of the Minister present and the Minister for tourism and industry. Several bodies need to feed in, so the Minister for Finance has never taken decisions on the film industry alone. It is the same within my party. I cannot just say we should have a lot of money spent on the film industry. Our finance representative, Deputy Pearse Doherty, would throw a wobbler if I started spending money in the way some have suggested. There is no magic money tree for the film industry. Section 481 is one aspect of this. I understand what the Minister is saying but at the end of the day the position is as described. An organisation that deserves the Minister's help at the moment is The Complex. I ask him to meet the Minister for Finance as quickly as possible to address the funding needs of this arts complex in the heart of the north inner city. It is not even in my constituency. It does not represent-----

Sentiment score: 0.06

It is not in the Bill but this is where artists and authors come together. There is an eclectic mix there and it is where ideas come from. When others mentioned films, I was reminded of the old film “Poitín”. I do not know whether the Minister ever saw it. Maybe I am of the vintage to have seen it. It is worth watching if you want to see divilment in Cyril Cusack's eyes. It is absolutely brilliant. It was one of the first Irish-language films and it is worth watching. It is dated at this stage but shows that, even with very little money, what the Irish could do with imagination. We have seen that, and that is why I support this legislation and look forward to ensuring that, irrespective of the legislation that comes before the House on film and the arts, we try to get the best. Since Ireland is a small island, on the edge of the world in some ways, it has to invest in its artists. Artists, along with others, set us apart. We have seen this from the awards they have got. Whether it is the technical legislation before us or the forthcoming legislation, we have to ensure we get it right. Others are getting their act together, have seen the success here and want a piece of the cake. They would probably have all of the cake if they could. If we could concentrate on Irish film, the correctness of the culture test and workers' rights, it would be useful.

Sentiment score: 0.23