A question submitted by Sinn Féin spokesperson on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts, Culture, Tourism and Media, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, to the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD has been disallowed following a request by the Minister.

The question asked: 

“To ask the Minister for Tourism; Culture; Arts; Gaeltacht; Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the Workplace Relations Commission’s recent ruling in the case of musician Matt McGranaghan and its implications for the music sector; if she has discussed plans to address the specific issue of bogus self-employment in the music industry with the Minister for Social Protection, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment or the Minister for Finance in the context of this ruling; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”

Teachta Ó Snodaigh said:

“The victory of Matt McGranaghan before the Workplace Relations Commission was of seismic importance for the music industry and the so-called gig economy as a whole. This is the first time the tests set out in the Karshan decision of the Supreme Court have been applied by the WRC.

“Mr. McGranaghan was never deemed an employee despite playing more than 200 gigs a year. This meant he never got the benefits of being an employee, including pension entitlements, holiday and sick pay. This decision makes clear that he should have had those entitlements, and that countless other musicians in his position should also be considered employees with workers’ rights.

“The was a clear-cut case of bogus self-employment which must be eradicated. Importantly, this is a ruling that has been decided, not a live case upon which a Minister can’t comment.

“I tried to ask Minister Martin, the Minister responsible for the music industry, if she has discussed any plans to address this issue in the music industry with her cabinet colleagues responsible for the workers’ rights framework in the context of this ruling, and to make a statement.

“Not only did she refuse to answer my question, she went so far as to ask the Ceann Comhairle to have my question disallowed, a request he granted. This raises serious questions about what we as TDs are allowed to ask Ministers. I have already had issues this past week with Minister Martin passing the buck on dynamic pricing to another Department, and the Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien passing a question on his housing guidelines on to Minister Martin to answer.

“The least the public can expect of Ministers is that they answer questions from elected representatives on serious issues over which they have responsibility.

“If Minister Martin does not believe the workers’ rights of artists are anything to do with her remit as Arts Minister, she should come out and say so. She’s happy to announce funding schemes or cut ribbons, but when it comes to defending workers’ rights in her area, it’s someone else’s problem.

“Today, my fellow Sinn Féin colleagues and I met with Mr. McGranaghan and his WRC representative Martin McMahon to discuss their case, and we will explore ways of addressing bogus self-employment across the board. As Media spokesperson, I will be taking a keen interest in ensuring RTÉ in particular finally treats its workers with the respect and conditions they deserve.”

ENDS