Mr. Neil McDonnell:

Of course it is. We do not disagree with that. I am not sure if the Deputy wilfully or accidentally missed the point. We want this. However, he is undermining the entire basis for employers paying social insurance in the first place. Why are employers paying into the Social Insurance Fund? If currently the State is providing a de minimis level of sick pay for people on the basis of the 15% that comes from employers and employees, on what basis is the Deputy suggesting employers should take on that entire burden?

If the Legislature passes legislation stating that employers must provide two, three or four weeks' paid statutory sick pay at a given rate per annum, that will mean that when a company tenders for business with the State or when a company factors in the price of a cup of coffee or a haircut or a litre of petrol-----