Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Shanahan's request that we examine things regionally. I am from an area of the south east that the Deputy does not represent but it is still the same region.

I thank the delegation for their contributions. I find it frustrating sometimes when we have meetings like this and are told that some of our questions cannot be answered because a consultation is taking place. That is not the fault of the delegation. I believe we should have had this meeting in two months' time rather than today. An important discussion is needed after the next report from the commission, particularly in terms of pay for people who are aged 17, 18 or 19.

A few minutes ago one of the delegation spoke about business representatives on their committee. Like any organisation, there are different views so I suspect that the commission would have predicted the criticism by businesses post budget about the increase in the minimum wage. The commission has welcomed the €250 million in support. It is important that the commission welcomes that support. It is not that the commission welcomes the support as being the only support but that it welcomes it as support. Did the business people in the organisation think there should be other supports provided to them to support them in terms of the impact generated by the increase in the minimum wage?