Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That was another point I was about to make because we discussed it the last time Mr. Barnes was before the committee and Deputy Boyd Barrett raised it in relation to the wages. As Mr. Barnes mentioned, we are seeing big price rises in food and energy, which are imports. Mr. Casey noted that we have seen growth in the first and second quarter but we are hearing soundings about a recession or slowdown. If there are no wage increases for those on lower levels of pay, who we know have to pay out on food and electricity, which we cannot do anything about, that money will not go into the local economy. Mr. Barnes mentioned that whole aspect.