Ms Patricia Callan:

To be honest, I cannot even recall how the mechanism works because no one has asked me that question for so long, but I can certainly find out.

The majority of our companies have never been anywhere near a State institution. They tend to work through issues one-by-one with people on the ground, or they ring people like me for advice. Rarely, if ever, do people end up with a third party and to do so would suggest to me that they had not managed the situation successfully. They do not have experience of the State apparatus. Even though it is notionally free it has become very legalistic and a lot more solicitors and barristers are involved. It is not just a matter of cash but management time and effort. If people are operating such a tight business that they feel they do not have the capacity to pay increases in the minimum wage they will not have the time or capacity to go to the Labour Court to argue that. An easier decision will have be made.