10/08/2026
Irish Equity Summer Bulletin 2026 Welcome to Irish Equity’s Summer information bulletin.
There has been an enormous amount of work undertaken by the President and members of the Executive in recent months, across multiple areas. We are trying very hard to bring about the systemic change we need, in order to afford our members a pathway to a sustainable career, professional recognition of the artists’ value and the proper remuneration that should come with it.
Irish Equity’s pre-budget submission 2027: Irish Equity has produced its Pre-Budget Submission for 2027. It is a compelling, highly readable and solution-focused document. It covers pretty much everything that is relevant to our industry and community. We encourage you to please read it carefully:https://irishequity.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/260715-IrishEquityPreBudgetSubmissionBudget2027-1.pdf
Our ‘asks’ are probably best summed up by the following excerpt from the document’s conclusion: “We call on the Government, in Budget 2027, to act on its own evidence: name the workforce in legislation, fund the labour that creates the value, protect the infrastructure of people, places and organisations, and enforce the rights already written in Irish law.” It would enhance our lobbying efforts, coming up to the Budget, if you would email this submission to your local TDs urging them to support it.
It’s a bloody brilliant Pre-Budget Submission!
Protection of Artists against the threat of AI: On Tuesday the 14th of July, Irish Equity President, Gerry O’Brien, members of the Executive and other Equity members, joined musicians, writers, artists and members of the Oireachtas for a Dáil debate on a Private Members Bill, brought by Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on the Arts, Aengus O’Snodaigh, calling for the protection of all artists against the threat of AI. It was warmly and eloquently supported by all Opposition TDs. Government TDs also spoke in its favour - albeit with far less passion. The Bill was passed unopposed. Our job now remains, as always, to make sure that any regulation that reigns in this existential threat to our livelihoods – and indeed humanity – is strictly enforced. The danger of a dystopian future, where AI flattens out all human creativity, is a very real. All creatives must stand together against it. Equity is working with our fellow unions, MUI and Praxis, to ensure that we can stand strong on this issue. Enforcement of existing copyright legislation: Our effort to ensure the enforcement of performers’ rights, as they already exist in legislation, is ongoing. The Government’s passive resistance, when it comes to getting tough with producers who flout this legislation, is one of our biggest obstacles. This is where we need your help. If you haven’t done so already, please send (or ask your agent to send) the transparency letter, which you will have received recently. It’s imperative that the members actively seek the transparency to which they’re entitled. The letter is a template, which makes it very easy. All you need to do, is to include your own name, the name of the film or television project you worked on, your name – or your agent’s – at the end of the letter and email it to the relevant producer. In the case of a co-production, send your letter to the Irish producer first. If you get no reply, forward the letter on to the co-producers. No amount of effort on Equity’s part will move this forward, without the involvement of its members. The producers need to be receiving these requests en masse, in order for legislation to have any practical effect.
In conclusion… As an affiliate of SIPTU, Irish Equity has a Sector Organiser, Robbie Purfield and an Administrator, Andrea Holmes – both of whom work very hard on our behalf. It is worth remembering, however, that members of the Equity Executive are not paid trade union officials. The Executive, including the President, is made up entirely of actors and theatre professionals – the same as every other member of the union. This Executive has and will continue to work very hard on your behalf, by fighting to enhance and enforce our collective rights, negotiating agreements, lobbying where necessary, supporting our community and doing our best to manage with the finite resources available to us. However, none of this can come to full fruition without your engagement. A union – any union – is only as strong as its members. We urge you to continue to support your President and the Executive, so that together we can achieve what we know is possible. If you wish to help Equity and/or the Executive in anyway, if you have any skills or contacts that would help the Union, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our next bulletin will be in September. See you all there.
