Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Courtney, Professor Walsh, Ms Pyke and Mr. Gilmore for attending today. I want to add my voice to the condolences to Professor Dónal O'Neill. He obviously made a very significant contribution to labour market economics in this country.

My first question - and I am conscious this has already been raised - is about the subminimum rates. I have a huge difficulty with treating adults like children for the purposes of pay. It is important to say that, last year, the Low Pay Commission was asked to consider the issue of subminimum rates. The public consultation happened in June of this year. To my mind, there is an element here of the commission dragging its heels in coming forward with recommendations. This should be a relatively straightforward answer, and it is taking until the end of this year to come back with an answer. I do not think that is acceptable.