John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is not a real court of law. It does not have the powers. The Minister would be aware that, based on the now infamous 2013 Supreme Court ruling on joint labour committees setting national wage rates for certain industries, such as construction, restaurants and hotels, we know the Labour Court is not a court of law. The WRC is a voluntary body. How can the Minister punish an employer for ignoring a ruling that is not law? Will she answer that question? She could not or would not answer when it put it to her previously.

There was a news story yesterday about a Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, which he acknowledged. The ruling made by the WRC for a fine of €7,500 for a senior official who was discriminated against has caused major concern and upset. I would like the Minister's views on that line of questioning. There have been calls for the Minister of State to resign. He should issue a more thorough apology and explain himself further. I listened to an interview with him this morning and his justification for that line of questioning does not stand up.