Dr. Donal de Buitléir:

When they pay the service charge most people believe that it goes to the individual worker, and most believe that it should. People who pay the service charge would be extremely concerned if they thought that was not the case. They might change their behaviour. Part of the issue if legislation is introduced, and there is no argument about the principle here, is whether what we are trying to do will make things better or deal with the issue. There was a concern in the commission that if legislation was introduced the typical service charge of 10% or 15% might be reduced. That could affect the take home pay of workers in particular cases. That was a big concern. There is no dispute among the members of the commission about what is the right thing to do here. The question is what is the best way of ensuring that it is done.