Dr. Donal de Buitléir:

I finished studying in 1980 and wanted to do some social work, so I sought out a position on the board of the Tabor Society. I thought it was important that someone like me, who has led a very privileged life, would have some exposure. I live in a middle class ghetto. One can easily cut oneself off from the problems in society. It is important to see how the other half lives, if I might put it that way. I found it an extremely valuable experience. I used to go down to the inner city eight or nine times a year for a board meeting. One saw how the problems impacted on ordinary people.

On the regional disparity, the legislation prescribes a national minimum wage. Whether that is a good idea in a small country is a question on which we need to reflect. I do not want to anticipate anything. We have had an initial meeting and we have had one real meeting. I do not want to anticipate what the commission will say. We need to look at the evidence, come to a considered view, say what we think and defend it.

On the question of a wage cut, there is an inability to pay clause in the legislation. I am not aware of how that works, but I would have thought that in the circumstances the Deputy outlined, that mechanism might have been appropriate.