David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the two witnesses from the Small Firms Association, SFA. Mr. A. J. Noonan said he was amused at the contributions from the trade union representatives, but I do not think there is anything amusing about the issues we are discussing. We are examining the issue of low pay. The facts from EUROSTAT, the OECD, the CSO, the Think-tank for Action on Social Change, TASC, and the Nevin Economic Research Institute show that 21% of workers in this State are on low pay, 350,000 workers in this State suffer from deprivation and there is a big problem in terms of in-work poverty. That is the reality. We are dealing with that issue and those facts. How we can create a more sustainable and a fairer economy and what are the responsibilities of the State and employers in achieving that fair economy? That is what we are about. I have a some questions with regard to the SMA's contribution.