It will not comes as a shock to Members that I have a particular problem with the legislation in that it does not deal with the issue of geoblocking, in respect of which Sinn Féin had proposed a measure, and how wrong it is that RTÉ programmes and particular events, including sporting events, are not available to those in the North. We hear the Taoiseach talk about the shared island unit and we do not actually see the proper outworking. This is a very simple thing that could have been provided and it would show an interest in the North from the Government here. It is just another let down in a long number of let downs. I would like to think that the Minister of State would understand that, and have conversations with the Government about the fact that it is something that really needs to be looked at. The only thing there will be consensus on is the idea of RTÉ coming under the Comptroller and Auditor General. We will all be happy when we are not dealing with further revelations around pay and whether someone is a presenter or a producer or not, and the ins and outs of sideways payments. That is all before we talk about those others who suffered under bogus self-employment. We know that is an issue that has been rife in many industries. What did not come as a shock to me was the issue Deputy Boyd Barrett brought up not only in relation to RTÉ but those in the independent sector, and the fact we do not have a decent framework for those working in it. There are many crew and whatever else who work across the audiovisual sector in general who will speak about how they have never had their rights as workers. Now we are talking about a greater number who will not even have an opportunity for that if they are going to be recorded as self-employed. We have seen the issue around producers who pull down State money and who create designated activity companies, DACs, for running projects such as film production. Then when somebody wants to use the industrial relations framework to ensure they have their rights, it is not available to them because they are not really an employee. How could they be an employee of a DAC that disappears after every project? The fact is that it is the producers that pull down the money. There is a need to deal with this issue and, unfortunately, it is another one of these cases where we end up being like a broken record because the issue is not dealt with. That is why there is a huge amount of unease around the fact that Screen Producers Ireland, SPI, as producers and the representative body for producers gets State money. The Tánaiste and others have given promises in the Chamber to me, to Deputy Ó Snodaigh, in particular, and to Deputies Joanna Byrne and Boyd Barrett but we need to see the outworking and the results because that is what those who work in the industry require. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the flexibility she showed me by allowing me to come in at this stage. Given the day that is in it, I want to commend the FTD brothers, Jordan and Cian Adams, who finished off their marathon in Merrion Square Park. It is absolutely fabulous that they have completed 33 marathons in 33 days. I barely clung along with them in Dundalk.
Sentiment score: 0.16
I would like to think that RTÉ and others would follow it.
Sentiment score: 0.36
It was in remembrance of their mother, Geraldine, who had frontotemporal dementia. She was diagnosed in her 40s and died at 52 years of age. Unfortunately for the two boys, they have that particular gene. Today was obviously a great day for them and for the whole community. There was great support shown across Ireland. In fairness, they spoke about the good news that their sister does not have it. I commend them.
Sentiment score: 0.20