Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair. I also thank Senator Malcolm Byrne for allowing me to come in early. I have an interview to do on this topic in approximately seven or eight minutes time. I acknowledge that all of our guests have played a key role in highlighting some of the major problems in the sector over the years. They led on the tips campaign which has come to fruition in the shape of the Bill that we hope to progress this evening. I respectfully encourage all members of this committee to read the detailed research of Dr. Curran because, frankly, it is shocking. To give one statistic, three in ten employees who she interviewed agreed that they have either experienced or observed workplace abuse. It is the kind of stuff we do not hear about often in the sector. We hear the good-news stories and we hear stories when the sector is in crisis. Let us be honest, the sector has come through a couple of very tough years. At the heart of this issue are the people whose voices have not been heard except through the work done by these fantastic people before the committee.

I will be brief but I want to raise a couple of questions. I will ask my questions in one batch to allow our guests to respond. Will Dr. Curran expand a little on some of the survey work that was done in respect of people's experiences? That abuse statistic was shocking but the surveys also touched on issues around schedules changing at short notice, which six out of ten respondents noted. How does one plan a life outside work with that little power? It is an issue of power. There is a lack of power in the workplace for such employees.

I wish to focus on the statistic that 68% of workers in the sector are paid less than €12 per hour. We know that is not good for the employees. Is it good for the sector? I want to quote the Tánaiste in that regard. I believe he meant it when he said: "It is important that the tourism and hospitality sectors are seen as a valued and sustainable career choice." If 68% of employees are paid less than €12 per hour, how is this sector a sustainable career choice?

What do we do about this veto? I am clear that this Government and previous Governments have gone out of their way to support the sector. However, I do not see fairness when the voices of employees are excluded. How can this committee help to end the JLC veto?