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

Today we will have a discussion on sub-minimum rates of the national minimum wage. The National Minimum Wage Act allows for lower or sub-minimum rates for those aged under 20. The minimum wage for those aged 19 is 90% of the prevailing rate, for those aged 18, it is 80% and for those aged 17 and under it is 70%. This committee is currently carrying out detailed scrutiny of the National Minimum Wage (Equal Pay for Young Workers) Bill 2022, which if enacted will provide for the removal of these sub-minimum wage rates. The committee is pleased to have the opportunity to consider these matters further with representatives from the Mandate trade union, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association, ISME, and the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI. I am pleased to welcome from Mandate, Mr. Greg Caffrey, divisional organiser, and Mr. Andrew Mannion, member; from ISME, Mr. Neil McDonnell, chief executive, and Ms Jean McCabe, chief executive officer Retail Excellence Ireland; and from the ESRI, Dr. Paul Redmond, senior research officer.

Before we start I will, as always, read a note on and explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both 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 may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If statements are therefore potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The opening statements have been circulated to the members, and to commence our consideration of this matter I invite Mr. Caffrey to make opening remarks on behalf of Mandate.