Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Dublin South-Central · Sinn Féin · Ireland
“In a reply to a parliamentary question on MetroLink in April of this year, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, again stated his belief that the MetroLink terminus can facilitate any potential future MetroLink expansion to serve the south west, south or south east of Dublin should sufficient demand develop. That demand is already there.”
“A millennium and a half later, with Ireland serving as the President of the Council of the European Union, it is the same law we want to see enforced in the era of AI. In the words of the author Scott Turow, in paraphrasing The Atlantic's Alex Reisner, the bold future promised by AI has been "created with stolen words".”
“Tá roinnt samplaí anseo agam. Glacaim leis gur chuir an conradh agus BÁNÚ roinnt samplaí eile chuig an Aire ag léiriú an damáiste a dhéanfaidh sé sin. In ainneoin an méid atá ráite aige, i gceantair áirithe, tá coinníollacha ar leith ann ó thaobh forbróirí atá ag forbairt iliomad tithíochta faoi láthair.”
“Theft is being rewarded and creativity is being punished to the tune of €22 billion globally in music and film, according to the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers. The European directives are no longer fit for purpose because of the exemptions granted to train AI.”
“Cloisim é seo. Chuala mé é thar na blianta ó dhaoine a bhí ag iarraidh go laghdófaí teorainn na Gaeltachta. Bhí siad ag iarraidh díriú isteach ar na ceantair a bhí in ísle brí ó thaobh labhairt na Gaeilge chun iad a chaitheamh amach ón nGaeltacht. Bhí siad ag iarraidh go mbeadh an Ghaeltacht srianta go dtí ceantair ina bhfuil 50% ann.”
“Bhí líne den scoth sa leabhar Ag Caint Linn Fhéin , a scríobh Joe Steve Ó Neachtain, laoch an Ghluaiseacht Chearta Sibhialta na Gaeltachta agus ealaíontóir ildánach, "Is é an croí atá i gceol na hÉireann a dhéanann náisiún mór den náisiún beag seo ar fud an domhain." Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. Tír gan ealaín, tír gan chroí.”
The complete record
Every one of 904 lines we hold for Aengus Ó Snodaigh, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 7 of 19.
“I will speak to section 2. The point needs to be made, as I have done virtually every year, that there is no secret service and yet every year there is an Estimate set down for €2 million to be issued to a secret service that supposedly does not exist but I will come back to that. The sum of €2 million is not huge. The fact is that all of the other Estimates go before a committee. This Estimate now falls under the Minister for public expenditure. It used to be the Minister for Finance. Yet, none of the Ministers have any responsibility for the Estimate. When I have put down questions over the years, what has happened is that my questions have been ruled out of order on the basis that the Minister has no official responsibility to Dáil Éireann for this matter under Standing Order 44.”
“We would welcome if the Minister or some other Minister would take the opportunity this week to set out that the Government is fully behind the proposals for the arts centre and at least to get the landlord to back off and give the people running the centre some time. Dublin City Council has agreed to step in to part-fund the proposal to purchase the complex and for it to continue to be run as an arts centre. Tá a lán eile, mar a dúirt mé, maidir le tithíocht, agus tithíocht na Gaeltachta go háirithe. Luaigh mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Mairéad Farrell, a lán de sin. Tá súil agam go mbeidh muid in ann teacht go dtí an Bille seo ag deireadh na bliana seo chugainn agus an infheistíocht cheart déanta.”
“We hope it will, at long last, and that local residents will have peace and quiet after the alarms have been going off in the hospital on an ongoing basis in recent weeks. I asked the Minister last week in the Chamber about the arts centre in the north inner city that is facing eviction on 14 January unless the State steps in and helps the people running the service with a capital injection to enable them to acquire the property and continue operating this important and eclectic arts centre. It is not a huge amount in the bigger scheme of things. The Government has proposed setting up some type of arts capital scheme based on the sports capital schemes.”
“That cannot be done unless we have the personnel, fleet and wherewithal to do it. It is good that there has at least been some type of acknowledgement of that in recent years. It means the funding must be spent when it is there. There are other areas we need to look at. Housing was mentioned by my colleagues. There is also the case of the national children's hospital, which features year on year in these debates. The Bill sets out what we are spending and it is not working in terms of the national children's hospital because we still have not shifted everybody over there, as should have happened at this stage. It should have been opened several years ago if the Government had taken the proper tack. That was not to be and we still do not know whether it will open next year.”
“We must take seriously the need to increase the Defence Forces numbers, increase the equipment they have and identify the threats faced by the State, of which there have been a number over the years. The Defence Forces have not been provided with the equipment that could be used for defence purposes and as an aid to the civil power. Recently, the headlines have focused on the issue of drones. Anyone looking at the world in the past ten years will understand that drone technology is where it is, yet the Defence Forces have not caught up because they have not been given the funding to do so. The same is true of the Naval Service and the job of work it must do to defend our fishing industry, our coastline and, additionally, to defend cables under the seas, for which all the onus seems to be on us.”
“There was a lot of talk in the media in recent weeks about the additional costs and additional security required for the meetings that will be held in Ireland during our Presidency of the EU in the second half of next year. I am assured by the members of the Defence Forces to whom I have spoken that they will do what is required to ensure there is not any disruption to what is planned. However, unless we get real, that will take its toll on the Defence Forces. Even the recent announcement about capital spend on material does not address some of the shortfalls, including the continuous loss of personnel to the private sector or to other types of jobs.”
“There are not enough people in any of the sections of the Defence Forces, whether an Cabhlach, the military or the Air Corps. They cannot provide services as an aid to the State at the rate we would like them to be able to do. That is no criticism of the men and women of the Defence Forces. It is just a fact of life and everything has to be tweaked accordingly. The men and women of the Defence Forces are under huge pressure to ensure they deliver extra overtime even though they do not get paid for any such overtime they do to fill in on the jobs that are meant to be done. We know this from some of the headlines during the year and it seems we will face the same situation next year because of the lack of equipment and, in particular, the lack of personnel.”
“Tar éis an bhuiséid, de ghnáth, tagann Bille leasa shóisialaigh os ár gcomhair chun na hathraithe atá ag teacht ón bhuiséad a chur i ndlí. Ní bheidh sé sin rite i mbliana roimh an Nollaig. Níl a fhios agam cé acu an athrú poirt nó cinneadh a bhí ann toisc an slí a raibh an buiséad rite. Questions need to be asked every single year in regard to how we fund our public services. One of those questions relates to the Defence Forces because the State has to set aside a certain amount to meet the established membership figure the forces are supposed to achieve. That number used to be 12,500 and was then reduced to 9,500. Every year, the money is set aside in the hope, or perhaps the dream, that we will reach that magical number. At the moment, we are 2,000 short of the magical number of 9,500.”
“Is Bille cuíosach teicniúil é seo i slí amháin. Tagann sé os ár gcomhair gach bliain, ach is le déanaí a thosaigh díospóireacht air. Nuair a bhí mise tofa ar dtús, bhíodh sé rite tríd gan aon díospóireachta in aon chor ag deireadh na bliana. Tá sé go maith go bhfuil an díospóireacht ann i slí amháin. Sa deireadh thiar thall, níor chuala mé aon rud riamh sna díospóireachtaí seo a thug le fios go dtiocfadh aon athrú an mBille bliantúil seo, nó go n-athrófar an slí a dtabharfaimid faoi seo in aon bhliain amach anseo. Tá muid ag díriú isteach ar cheisteanna móra agus caiteachas an-mhór ó thaobh an Stáit de. Is é sin an fáth a bhfuil fonn ar dhaoine a bheith ag déanamh díospóireachta air seo. Chuile bhliain, feiceann muid ar na ceisteanna atá ardaithe anseo. De ghnáth, áfach, bíonn reachtaíocht ann maidir le ceisteanna leasa sóisialta.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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-----”
“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 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.”
“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 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.”
“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 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.”
“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.”
“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 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.”
“The loss of the Complex would be a hammer-blow to arts in the city, which, over the years, have seen many other venues closed and never reopened or replaced.”
“Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister for culture, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, to liaise urgently with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Jack Chambers, to ensure funding can be secured to ensure one of the most versatile and much-needed arts centres in Dublin can be saved from eviction? Government engagement on this matter - saving the Complex - before the notice to quit expires on 14 January could allow moneys from the north inner city task force and Dublin City Council to be leveraged and released so that the vibrant and unique arts studio, jazz rehearsal space, the Cooler, and drama and theatre venue in the city centre can survive and thrive, as there are new studios and arts spaces planned for this centre.”
“Deputy Pa Daly - To discuss remuneration for directors at DAA. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the elective hospital in Cork city. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett - To discuss the planned closure of the Complex artists' space in Dublin city centre. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss a proposal to reclassify high protein oral nutritional supplements as "approval only". Deputy Alan Kelly - To discuss the need to create a new model 4 hospital in the mid-west. The matters raised by Deputies Tony McCormack, Roderic O'Gorman, Alan Kelly, Michael Murphy and Pa Daly have been selected for discussion.”
“Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss plans to demolish and rebuild schools in Dublin 7. Deputy Michael Murphy - To discuss growing delays in the SEAI warmer homes scheme. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the need for funding for youth work in Balbriggan. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss public transport improvements in Chapelizod. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss qualification for carer's leave for teachers. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss ongoing human rights abuses against the Uyghurs. Deputy Conor D McGuinness - To discuss policing and community safety in Waterford. Deputy Louis O'Hara - To discuss the need for a 24-hour rapid response vehicle at Tuam ambulance base. Deputy Paul Murphy - To discuss problems with bus routes across Dublin South-West. Deputy Tony McCormack - To discuss the issue of criminal activity in Edenderry.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Joe Cooney - To discuss the inclusion of mixed use properties in the vacant and derelict homes scheme and the local authority purchase and renovation loan. Deputy Barry Heneghan - To discuss urgent issues regarding a primary school in Fairview. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere - To discuss the new Kilkenny Institute of Further Education and Training campus. Deputy Conor Sheehan - To discuss the need for a new model 4 hospital in the mid-west region. Deputy Erin McGreehan - To discuss the forthcoming national volunteering strategy. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil - To discuss the reliability of bus services in Kildare North.”
“Justice Hogan, stated: “It is also not fanciful to suppose that such a ruling from a CETA Tribunal could curtail the State’s capacity to legislate in accordance with its own democratic and constitutional framework”. We know this treaty is unequal. A quick glance at Article 7.7 shows that Canada's cultural subsidies get protections that are not afforded to us. Mr. Justice Dunne said that it is necessary to have CETA ratified by the people. Of course, it could be rejected by the people. Hopefully, it will be, and we will have a referendum. Mr. Justice Charleton's words on CETA would send a chill down every spine in this Dáil, if Members listened. There is no limit, no democratic participation, no control and no appeal. Níor chóir glacadh leis an mBille seo.”
“Níor chóir go mbeadh an Rialtas reatha ag cur bac roimh rialtais sa todhchaí gníomh níos uaillmhianaí a ghlacadh maidir leis an nGaeltacht agus an Ghaeilge. Is é sin an fáth gur thug Comhaltaí an Rialtais reatha comhairle sa choiste Gaeilge gan glacadh le CETA gan reifreann, i measc na deich moltaí a bhí leagtha síos sa tuarascáil chuimsitheach a cuireadh faoi bhráid an Rialtais agus faoi bhráid na Dála seo. Dúirt an Breitheamh Charleton gurb ionainn an chomhaontas agus “neamhaird shoiléir ar an mBunreacht.” Dúirt sé arís ansin go ndéanfadh an comhaontas “sárú ar chumhachtaí eisiacha reachtacha an Oireachtais’. The Dáil has been asked to scrap the democratic law-making process of the Oireachtas in pursuing CETA in particular. The Supreme Court judge, Mr.”
“Cad faoi dá mbeadh an Rialtas ag iarraidh coinníollacha Gaeilge a cheangail le soláthar seirbhísí ag comhlachtaí móra príobháideacha sa Ghaeltacht nó dá mbeadh spéis aige i bpacáistiú táirgí dátheangacha sna siopaí nó céatadán riachtanach Gaeilge a chur ar ábhar, ar cheol ar raidió, nó fiú ar sheirbhísí srutha, rudaí atá i bhfeidhm i gCeanada cheana féin? Bheadh dualgas ar an Stát seo aon drochéifeachtaí léirithe ag na comhlachtaí ábhartha a laghdú, rud a chuirfeadh costas ar an Stát agus a chuirfeadh brú ar an Rialtas gan beart mar sin a dhéanamh sa chéad áit, nó tarraingt siar uathu, is é sin, ó ghníomhaireachtaí dearfacha ar son na Gaeilge nó ar son na Gaeltachta. Níl anseo ach roinnt samplaí de pholasaí atá uaillmhianach ach indéanta.”
“Dá bhféadfadh Ceanada nó chomhlacht i gCeanada a léiriú go mbeadh drochthionchar ag deontas nó ar pholasaí an Stáit i dtaca le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge nó na Gaeltachta ar thionscadal dá chuid nó ar a chuid easpórtálaithe, is cosúil go mbeadh cás acu faoin gcomhaontas seo. Dá mbeadh comhlachtaí i gCeanada atá ag tuilleadh brabús de thoradh ar smacht a bheith acu ar sholáthar tithíochta, seans go gcuirfeadh siadsan i gcoinne ról Údarás na Gaeltachta san earnáil sin. Mar a dúirt an Breitheamh Hogan “Is féidir rialuithe dá leithéid a shamhlú réimsí ar nós rialtán pleanála, zónáil talún, i gceadúnú acmhainní mianracha, cáin nó rialú cíos”. Mar an gcéanna, seans, mar shampla, dá nglacfadh an t-údarás ról níos láidre ag tacú le fuinneamh in-athnuaite amach ón chósta, nó leis an iascaireacht, go mbeadh cás ann inár gcoinne tógtha ag Ceanada.”
“They will support a treaty they have acknowledged would give big business the power to sue Ireland if we take any action that harms their profits in a courts system ordinary people have no access to. Leading Irish judges have called this neither constitutional nor democratic but the Taoiseach and Tánaiste could not care less. Cuirfidh CETA an tacaíocht agus aon tacaíocht Stáit don Ghaeltacht i mbaol. Ní hiad sin mo chuid tuairimí pearsanta ach tuairimí traspháirtí an chomhchoiste Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta, bunaithe ar iniúchadh domhain a rinne an coiste sin ar impleachtaí CETA maidir leis an nGaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht.”
“People are getting used to the two-faced betrayal from this Government, especially when it comes to EU trade deals designed to prioritise private profit over human rights and justice. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs go on local radio saying one thing and then come in here and vote for the opposite. The hypocrisy damages public trust in politics and erodes Irish sovereignty and democratic accountability. This Bill is a perfect example. In 2023, an Oireachtas committee, the controlling Government majority on which included Fine Gael's Barry Ward and Fianna Fáil's Aindrias Moynihan and Pádraig O'Sullivan, agreed a report that said CETA should be put to a referendum. Those same TDs will line up in here later to vote for the opposite.”
“We will have that discussion next week when this Bill comes before the House again. I tabled those amendments earlier, which, I think, was the deadline even though we are only on Second Stage. I sent them in and we will have the opportunity to discuss them next week. We would be standing up for Irish workers and artists if the amendments and the suggestions I and many others have tabled were adopted. My amendments are not aimed at hampering the industry in any way. They are aimed at enhancing it to all of our benefit. Sin an méid atá agam faoi láthair. Tá brón orm. Ní féidir liom fanacht mar tá grúpa ón bPalaistín istigh agam faoi láthair. B'fhéidir go mbeidh mé ar ais roimh dheireadh na ráiteas.”
“Screen composers have outlined that music for film is highly international and competitive and in order for Ireland and Irish-based composers to compete successfully, it is important that music creation be supported overtly within the Irish audiovisual tax credit mechanism and that this is comparable to similar incentives offered by international coproduction partners to ensure that there is no in-built disincentive to bringing music departments to Ireland where coproductions are availing of multiple incentives. We believe that there are constructive solutions. They might not be ones that we will fully address in this Bill, but I intend to table one or two amendments to the Bill on Committee and Report Stages, to address some of these issues as they relate to this, as I said, technical Bill.”
“The Irish Music Rights Organisation, IMRO, in its prebudget submission last year, expressed its concern that despite music being a vital component of film success, most section 481 schemes do not specify or mention music in their applications, unlike schemes in Britain. That is one of the key points. We need only look across the shore and see the benefits of investment in music in film, but also that many working in the film industry, actors or screenwriters, have a better contract than their Irish counterparts are being asked to sign. In fact, in some productions in Ireland, people are directly recruited to the film in London and the ones recruited in Ireland have two separate contracts, one of which, the English, is more beneficial.”
“The Screen Composers Guild of Ireland has collected data that show that the level of productions in receipt of section 481 credit who employ Irish-based composers or use any Irish-based contribution continues to remain static at 30% and none of these productions are in the high budget bracket. This falls short of what the guild has said is an acceptable level given that the tax credit is, in fact, tax foregone by our society. If we are going to give away taxpayers' money or at least not call it in, we should ensure that we get the best and the most possible benefit and that includes ensuring composers have a role in productions.”
“The other issue that needs to be considered is how to ensure Irish music, musicians and composers are used and get the full benefit of all of these films being produced in Ireland, We have some of the best musicians in the world and we have seen that on every world stage and through every genre of music. There is no guarantee while the film companies are benefiting from the section 481 tax credit that Irish-based composers should continue to be used but also that the companies would be encouraged to consider them. None of the high-end productions that are filmed in Ireland have been using the composer of late.”
“While it was extended for an additional year, it was being tapered out anyway so we did not have the full effects of that. Maybe the Minister of State could look again at reintroducing it to see whether it would address the imbalance whereby most of the film productions and companies are located on the east coast, and in the Dublin region in particular. A "Gaeltacht uplift" is another way to look at it but it is something that would help and the Minister indicated he would look at it again. I am just using the opportunity to encourage him to do so again.”
“We need to send a message that any State support, whether through Fís Éireann or a licence under section 481, will not tolerate any undermining of those rights. I encourage the Minister of State to meet Irish Equity in particular, in future, to hear out the concerns around the contracts and the buyouts and to speak to film workers who have been raising issues of industrial relations and blacklisting in the industry for years. The other issue I want to raise if that of the regional imbalance. There was an attempt to address this in 2019 when there was a short-lived regional uplift on top of section 481. That did not have an effect because it was truncated in the middle because of a two and a half year interruption due to Covid.”
“To the extent that the artist becomes entitled to any use, fees or residuals in respect of the film, no obligation shall be placed on the company in relation to the collection of payment of such moneys. The law is meant to protect the vulnerable from being pushed around and having their rights denied. That is exactly what that contract would do and it is in breach of the EU directive. We need to expose this when this happens and back those who wish to take a stand because the problem is if someone refuses to sign these contracts, he or she will not get the work. In an industry where work can be precarious and consist of going from film to film, if people are cut out, while they may not be blacklisted, they will not get another contract because there are only a certain number of them.”
“That is unacceptable. I quoted from one company last week that is in a coproduction with a US company that filmed in Ireland this year and was in receipt of the section 481 tax relief. The contract stated: The artist acknowledges that the fees payable herein constitute a complete buyout of all rights contemplated hereunder and the artist shall not be entitled to any further sums whatsoever by reason of the exploitation of the film or other exploitations permitted hereunder ... No further sums are payable to the artist, or to the artists under this agreement, whether in respect of the hours worked by the artist or under any collective bargaining agreement, or in connection with the use or the exploitation and/or the promotion of the film unless otherwise expressly stated herein. ...”
“I raised the issue of rights for workers and performers only last week in our discussion on the Finance Bill and I welcomed the commitments given by the Tánaiste in response because we need to ensure that from wherever State support is being provided to film productions, whether it is through Fís Éireann or another form of tax relief, that it does not contribute in any way to undermining worker's rights and conditions or it is not in violation of copyright law, in particular the EU copyright directive, because that directive outlines that performers have an unwaivable right to equitable remuneration and we know there are incidents where State-supported film productions are forcing performers to waive their rights and accept remuneration as proportionate before knowing what proportion it is in terms of their future revenue.”
“The Minister of State will be aware of some of the issues I and others in the opposition have been raising consistently over the past few years. I have had this conversation with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, and he has indicated he will examine some of the issues and maybe in other legislation that has been mooted there will be changes forthcoming. The three major issues that must be addressed are the rights of workers and performers, the imbalance in the regional development of the sector and the failure to deliver funding potential for our cultural sector.”
“They often revolve around strong women working together and carrying out, in one of the films, "Aontas", a heist on a credit union in, or the women's naomhóg race in "Tarrac". I urge everyone who is listening in, if they are at all, to look at the Irish language films and at the Irish made films in the first instance and see they are products of our investment and the likes of this type of legislation, which encourages films to go a long way. Major changes are required and this is one of them. We are supportive of the intention of the legislation. It is a practical step, and a technical step in some ways. It is an acceptance of the real life of cinema. We must acknowledge there are problems within the industry.”
“Not alone has Ireland witnessed unprecedented wins, from the Oscars to the Sundance Festival, but a golden age has emerged, in particular for film-making in our native tongue. This golden age has been a long time in the making. Last year marked 90 years since the seminal documentary, "Man of Aran", which focused on saol na hÉireann, and since then we have seen many other films. In particular, of late we have had "Kneecap" and "An Cailín Ciúin" but they are not the only ones that have been cited by many. We have also had "An Taibhse", "Fréamhacha", "Arracht" and even "Foscadh" and "Róise agus Frank", which have put the spotlight on many of the contrasting ways our society operates and brings grief, in some cases, and joy in other cases.”
“The reason we in Sinn Féin have put so much time and energy into producing dedicated policies and introducing Bills to support our film industry, performers and audience access is film is vital not only for the creation of jobs and bringing investment to our regions, but also to the nation both in terms of how we are seen by others and how we view ourselves. When Irish films succeed, our economy, society and culture benefit. Thanks to the tremendous work of screenwriters, cinematographers, producers, directors, editors, cast and crew, as well as the hard work and investment of State bodies, including Fís Éireann, Ireland can boast of enormous success in recent years, from which we have all benefited.”
“Is Bille teicniúil é seo chun deis a thabhairt d'Fhís Éireann leanúint ag tacú le scannáin in Éirinn sna blianta amach romhainn. Ní chuirfidh Sinn Féin i gcoinne an chuspóra sin. Tá éacht den scoth bainte amach ag an earnáil scannánaíochta in Éirinn leis na blianta anuas. Tá Sinn Féin tar éis tacú go mór leis an earnáil. Anuraidh, d'fhoilsigh Sinn Féin plean cuimsitheach le deich dtosaíocht maidir le scannánaíocht mar chuid d'ár bpolasaí ealaíona. Táim tar éis trí Bhille a thionscnú sa Dáil seo chun tacú le hoibreoirí scannán, le déantús scannán lasmuigh de Bhaile Átha Cliath agus Chill Mhantáin, agus le rochtain a chinntiú do chách ar sheirbhísí closamhairc trasna an oileáin.”
“Beidh BÁNÚ, an eagraíocht atá ag tabhairt tacaíochta do cheantair Ghaeltachta maidir le tithíocht, ag éirí níos mó. Tá an ceart ag an Aire go bhfuil ról ag na comhairlí contae. Ach anois láithreach, cá bhfuil Bille Údarás na Gaeltachta? Cá bhfuil na cumhachtaí? Cá bhfuil an gníomh chun déileáil leis an gceist éigeandála seo ó thaobh na Gaeltachta anois láithreach?”
“Cloisim cad atá á rá ag an Aire ach tá frustrachas ar mhuintir na Gaeltachta toisc go raibh siad ag siúl le treoirlínte pleanála Gaeltachta. Tá na treoirlínte sin tar éis bás a fháil. Tá an tAire ag caint faoi ráiteas anois a thiocfaidh agus a bheidh ag dul amach go comhairliúchán. Tá sé ag caint faoi bhlianta eile. Is an rud céanna é faoi Bhille Údarás na Gaeltachta. Níl sé rite so níl na cumhachtaí sin ag an údarás faoi láthair. Táimid fós ag fanacht air teacht ar ais le go gcríochnóimid iad. Nílimid ag iarraidh go mbeadh aon mhoill air. Tá gá go mbeadh na rudaí seo ag tarlú anois mar is é seo an áit atá an fhadhb. An fáth go bhfuil mé ag cur na ceiste faoin Acht ar leith seo ná gur bealach tapa é seo fad is atáimid ag fanacht ar na céimeanna eile. Mura dtarlaíonn sé sin, beidh sáinn ann.”
“Is é an fáth gur luaigh mé Acht na dTithe (Gaeltachta) ná go n-aithníonn an chuid is mó de dhaoine gur cás ar leith í an Ghaeltacht, cé go bhfuil an chuid eile den tír i ngéarchéim thithíochta freisin. Muna bhfuil tithe ar fáil do lánúineacha agus daoine áitiúla chun cónaí iontu, ní bheidh an Ghaeltacht ann amach anseo agus ní féidir rud mar sin a atógáil in aon bhealach ceart. In 2009, tugadh €2 milliún i ndeontais faoin Acht seo. Tá sé ann agus is féidir é a dhéanamh. Dá réir, is féidir ceist eisceachtúil a dhéanamh den Ghaeilge agus cuidiú le lánúineacha atá ag triail le tithe a fháil. Ní féidir leo tithe a fháil mar níl siad ar díol. B'fhéidir go bhfuil siad á ligean ar Airbnb. Tá cás ar leith anseo. Is é seo an bealach chun infheistíocht a dhéanamh go tapa. Aithním an méid atá ag tarlú ach tá sé ag tarlú go an-mhall.”