Order of Business - 15th November 2005

Order of Business – 15th November 2005

Mr. Norris: I support Senator Finucane and
others who have called for a debate on the rising
tide of violence but hope it will be conducted in
a non−partisan way because it affects everyone.
Some incidents are worrying. Ireland has changed
a great deal in my lifetime. I never thought I
would see the day when there would be contract
killings and that somebody would say he or she
received \10,000 for taking another human
being’s life. I would like to think that as a result
of a debate with the Minister we might get at the
people behind the contract killings. There is
something chilling about this notion.
I support Senator O’Toole’s comments on Irish
Ferries. The Labour Court has given its recommendation
and the Taoiseach yesterday said he
hopes it will be accepted, yet the company cavalierly
threw it aside. We need a debate on the
trade unions, and I say this with a specific matter
in mind. I must declare an interest. I am a
member of the actors’ union Irish Equity and I
have been briefed by SIPTU
Ms O’Rourke: We knew that.
Dr. Mansergh: We have noticed.
Mr. Norris: It is difficult to hear the Senators.
Perhaps they should join Equity too. Some projection
training might be useful. This is a serious
issue as it relates to the lowest paid workers in
the State. They earn \7,000 per annum, and they
represent us all over the world. They are the most
vulnerable people. It is extraordinary that the
Competition Authority has put a gun to the head
of SIPTU and said it cannot represent freelance
artists. Performance artists are regarded by the
Competition Authority as an undertaking or a
business if they make arrangements themselves.
They have been forced to sign an agreement saying
they will not provide or share with any
self−employed actor information relating to minimum
fees. That is astonishing. We must look at
this issue.
Competition law is supposed to protect consumers
from the creation of cartels and
non−competitive pricing. Here we have the weakest
members of society on pathetic incomes being
prevented from getting information on a proper
minimum wage. That is a reproach to us all and I
ask that this House consider the matter.