Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As members will know, if they are participating remotely, they are required to do so from within the Leinster House complex. Today we are examining the legislative changes needed for the transposition of Directive (EU) 2022/2041 on adequate minimum wages in the EU. It aims to improve working and living conditions in the EU by establishing a framework for adequacy of statutory minimum wages, promoting collective bargaining on wage setting, and enhancing the effective access of workers to the rights to minimum wage protection provided for under national legislation and-or collective agreements. The directive has to be transposed into national law by 15 November 2024.

Today I am pleased we have the opportunity to discuss this and related matters with representatives from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions: Mr. Owen Reidy, general secretary, and Mr. Ger Gibbons, social and policy legislative officer; and from IBEC: Ms Maeve McElwee, director of employer relations, and Ms Nichola Harkin, head of employment law services.

Before we start, I will mention, as we always do, parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to another person in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. Witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by me to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative they comply with any such direction.

The opening statements from all three organisations have been circulated to members. To commence our consideration of this matter, I invite Mr. Reidy to make an opening statement on behalf of the ICTU.