Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Does Mr. Courtney have an eye to the living wage? Some commentators have said the low level of trade union density in this State more or less rules out the prospect of wage inflation. Even though it is the job of the Government to put some sort of a floor in place, there is no substitute for being an active trade union member. That is the best way to achieve a pay increase at work and always will be. You can hang around and wait for right-wing governments to give you a pay rise that will keep pace with inflation, but all the evidence suggests it will not. In terms of Mr. Courtney's view, does he have in mind a move towards the living wage when he is making his recommendations? Does that factor in when he is considering it? Does he consider the 80 cent as a stopping-off point in that direction or does he just consider it in isolation?