Ms Rhona McCord:

I disagree with the Low Pay Commission's statement that not enough research has been carried out. It is unfortunate that it did not conduct a survey or interview people. Going to unions to ask about this issue is problematic because the sector is very much non-unionised and it is an area in which it is notoriously difficult to organise owing to the nature of the work involved, but we have attempted to do it. In the past fortnight we have been all around Dublin city centre talking to workers. One member who worked in the sector for 11 years and is present in the Visitors' Gallery would say that of the nine places in which she worked only one gave her her tips, in other words, eight did not. That is the experience she is picking up from others on the ground. People are saying that when they go into a restaurant and ask directly what is the workers' experience, they are told everything we outlined in the opening statement. Apart from the theft of wages through holding on to tips, there is insecurity in the hours and shifts worked which change constantly. It is used as a means of control. Sexual harassment is a huge issue for female workers in the sector. There is also the question of safety in getting home from work. Sometimes, if workers do not receive their tips, they cannot afford to take a taxi home late at night. The feedback we have received emphasises the precarious nature of the employment. Other research has been undertaken. Sinn Féin undertook a survey, as has SIPTU. As Dr. Curran is probably the expert and has done a lot of work on the issue, I might ask her to explain.