Mr. Jonathan Hogan:

We have no sense of, as I said earlier on, where the median rate - that hourly rate - derives from and what is included in the calculation of that.

With regard to the report that Mr. Courtney referred to on subminimum rates, it is simply outlandish in this day and age to talk about a report required to justify the withdrawal or continuation of these rates. It is discriminatory. Age is one of the nine grounds under equality legislation.

It is simply a case of trying to justify why it is still here. There is no justification. It is a scandalous attempt, by the Government or the Low Pay Commission, to push this issue down the road and it is exploitation of workers under a certain age.