Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I am inclined not to support it because in supporting it I will endorse what is going on which, in the context of the overall budget, is a disgrace. The most vulnerable - the 136,000 who depend on the national minimum wage - work in industries that are booming, including the hospitality and services industries, yet they are being deprived of the benefits of this measure, while others were brought forward to enhance the profits of the very wealthy. It is outrageous that an increase in the national minimum wage has been held back because of Brexit and for God knows how long more. I am sure this is not of the Minister's doing. It is probably due to the overall budgetary position, but it still outrageous.