Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We need to consider the balance between changes in the way the work is done and the availability of jobs. There will always be an objection to those who say change will damage the opportunity of finding work. The introduction of barcodes and scanning in the 1970s led to major objections on the grounds that there would be job losses because one would no longer need to employ people to stick little labels on every single can and packet. Nowadays people would not understand that. Luckily enough, the case that the community as a whole would benefit was accepted. How does Dr. de Buitléir achieve a balance, knowing that if he increases the rate of pay, it is quite likely that there will be fewer jobs? It must be difficult for somebody in his position or a person in the Low Pay Commission to strike that balance.