Vol. 758 Tuesday, No. 1 6 March 2012 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Dé Máirt, 6 Márta 2012. Ceisteanna — Questions Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Priority Questions …………………………… 1 Other Questions …………………………… 9 Leaders’ Questions ……………………………… 18 Ceisteanna — Questions (resumed) Other Questions (resumed) Taoiseach ……………………………… 26 Order of Business ……………………………… 41 Scrap and Precious Metal Dealers Bill 2011: Second Stage (resumed) …………… 46 EU Regulations: Referral to Committee ……………………… 47 Topical Issue Matters ……………………………… 48 Topical Issue Debate Milk Quota ……………………………… 49 Mackerel Fisheries …………………………… 52 Hospital Services ……………………………… 55 Newborn Screening Cards ………………………… 60 Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage …………………………… 62 Second Stage ……………………………… 63 Private Members’ Business Turbary Rights: Motion …………………………… 77 Questions: Written Answers …………………………… 101 DÁIL ÉIREANN DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL OFFICIAL REPORT Imleabhar 758 Volume 758 Dé Máirt, 6 Márta 2012. Tuesday, 6 March 2012. ———— Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2.00 p.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Ceisteanna — Questions Priority Questions ———— Audiovisual Industry 56. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the findings of the Creative Capital report on industrial relations in the audiovisual industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12717/12] Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan): The Deputy will be aware that the development of the audiovisual industry, including industrial relations issues, was examined during the preparation of the Creative Capital report, Building Ireland’s Audiov- isual Creative Economy, which was published in July 2011. An implementation committee is examining the advancement of its recommendations. It is chaired by my Department and includes representatives from the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Education and Skills, Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The Irish Film Board, Screen Producers Ireland and the Broadcasting Auth- ority of Ireland are also represented on it. I am expecting an internal report from it after Easter. 1 Priority 6 March 2012. Questions [Deputy Jimmy Deenihan.] The Creative Capital report focuses on issues such as talent development, convergence, sec- toral growth, education and the digital opportunities for Ireland, as well as reporting on indus- try leadership, State agency roles and innovation. It will provide a road map for the next few years and assist in enabling the domestic audiovisual content production sector to develop into an internationally traded sector for product and services over the five year period 2011 to 2015. In the area of industrial relations I understand negotiations are ongoing between the relevant parties under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this juncture. Deputy Robert Troy: I thank the Minister for his reply. As he will be aware, I tabled a written parliamentary question on this a number of weeks ago and I was a little disappointed with his reply. The Creative Capital report from the Department identifies the potential of the Irish film industry to grow at a rate of in excess of 30% in the next five years. It is a very important sector which both of us agree has considerable potential for job creation, but the ongoing limbo the talks between the craft unions and the producers are in is sending out a negative image internationally. Disney has stated publicly it is not prepared to return to Ireland until these practices have been resolved. The talks between the craft unions and the producers have been ongoing for more than a year, with the unions not making a single concession. The industry is in limbo because there has been an absence of an agreement for five to six years. One of the most damaging aspects to the Irish film industry abroad is the 50:50 nomination system operated by the craft unions. It gives unions the right to choose 50% of a production crew. To the best of my knowledge, no other industry operates to such criteria. Will the Minister press Screen Producers Ireland to omit the inclusion of the practice of 50:50 nomination from any new agreement? Given the paralysis in the industry, will he ensure that a new agreement will be finalised by both sides as soon as possible to provide clarity to the international market that Ireland is competitive? In light of the fact that it is ongoing for so long, the Minister might consider intervening personally by seeking to meet the producers and craft unions separately and then trying to mediate between them to bring about a satisfac- tory conclusion. It is an important industry where there is potential to grow jobs, but at present there is stalemate which is sending out a negative message to the international community. Disney, a renowned film production company, has vowed not to return to Ireland as long as this practice is in place. The Minister might clarify some of those points for me. Deputy Jimmy Deenihan: I agree with Deputy Troy that we must be competitive in the film industry to attract film and television drama productions to Ireland. If one compares our costs with those of the UK, for example, we certainly are not competitive. We must look at it from a view of all inputs into the film industry. We must be competitive or else producers will not come to this country. We have had recent experience where, as Deputy Troy stated, they have decided to go elsewhere. I understand discussions currently are at a sensitive stage with the Labour Relations Com- mission, the unions representing the various elements of the film industry and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. While I do not want to get into those negotiations or comment on them, I would say that if we are to achieve the target of 10,000 working in the industry following the completion of the Creative Capital report, certainly we must be very 2 Priority 6 March 2012. Questions competitive. That is why these negotiations are very important and it is very important that they would be concluded as soon as possible. It would not be appropriate that I or any other Minister would become involved with the Labour Relations Commission. It is not something that would be welcome at this stage. The unions and Screen Producers Ireland are very much involved in talks currently and seem to be making progress. Deputy Robert Troy: This is about jobs, and jobs are being put at risk. The Minister’s hands- off approach is not appropriate in this instance. I appeal to him to mediate because it is important in that it involves jobs. The Minister’s Creative Capital report has clearly outlined the need for action. Deputy Jimmy Deenihan: I am sure Deputy Troy understands the principles of negotiation. The Labour Relations Commission will certainly be carrying that out. I am sure it would not respond favourably to interference from the Minister at this stage. Caomhnú agus Forbairt na Gaeilge 57. D’fhiafraigh Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon; Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé chomh héifeachtach atá a roinn ag cothú na Gaeilge i gceantair Ghaeltachta timpeall na tíre i bhfrith- shuí le Ranna Rialtais eile timpeall na cruinne a bhíonn i mbun athbheochan mionteanga- cha [12888/12] Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Dinny McGinley): Tá cur chuige mo Roinne i dtaca le cothú na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht fite fuaite leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030, ina leagtar síos cur chuige comhtháite don Ghae- ilge atá ag luí le dea-chleachtas idirnáisiúnta. Ionas gur féidir le mo Roinn an straitéis a chur i bhfeidhm ar an mbealach is éifeachtaí,tá mo Roinn ag féachaint chuige i rith an ama go mbaintear an tairbhe is fearr agus is féidir as an soláthar airgid atá curtha ar fáil le cuidiú le raon leathan scéimeanna gníomhaíochtaí agus beartas. I measc na ngníomhaíochtaíéagsúla sa Ghaeltacht a thugann mo Roinnse tacaíocht dóibh, tá tábhacht ar leith ag baint leis na coláistí Gaeilge ós rud é gur tionscal teangalárnaithe é a chuireann go mór leis an nGaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Meastar go ngineann infheistíocht mo Roinne de €4.5 milliúin faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge caiteachas iomlán de suas le €50 milliúin sa bhliain sa Ghaeltacht. Déanann na coláistí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht freastal ar suas le 25,000 foghlaimeoir Gaeilge gach bliain. Tugann siad fostaíocht do bhreis agus 700 bean tíó cheann ceann na Gaeltachta, gan trácht ar mhúinteoirí agus daoine eile a fhaigheann tairbhe na fostaí- ochta ó na coláistí Gaeilge chomh maith. Taobh amuigh de na coláistí Gaeilge, déanann mo Roinn scéimeanna teangalárnaithe eile, ar nósscéim na gcúntóirí teanga, a riar a théann chun sochair don phobal Gaeltachta. Chomh maith leis sin, tugann mo Roinn maoiniú reatha d’eagraíochtaíéagsúla sa Ghaeltacht ar mhaithe le seirbhísíéagsúla a sholáthar don phobal agus maoiniú caipitil chun áiseanna pobail a fhorbairt do phobal na Gaeltachta. Ní miste a lua gur ball í mo Roinn den NPLD — the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity — gréasán Eorpach a bhfuil sé mar phríomhaidhm aige dea-chleachtas a roinnt maidir le ple- anáil teanga. Tuigtear dom ónár gcuid oibre san eagraíocht sin go bhféachtar ar an tír seo mar cheannródaí maidir le pleanáil teanga i gcomhthéacs straitéisí. Additional information not given on the floor of the House. Chomh maith leis sin, tá cúrsaí a bhaineann le hathbheochan teangacha ina cheist thábhacht- ach i gcomhthéacs an Comhairle na Breataine-na hÉireann. Ag cruinniú na nAirí den chom- 3 Priority 6 March 2012. Questions [Deputy Dinny McGinley.] hairle i nGaoth Dobhair anuraidh, bhí mé féin agus na hAirí eile ar aon intinn go bhféadfaimís foghlaim óna chéile sa réimse thábhachtach oibre seo.