Ms Tara Coogan:

As for the commencement of this particular order, if it is passed it will commence on 1 February 2022. As this is being made by way of a statutory instrument, all it requires is the Minister's signature and my understanding is that he will sign it as soon as he gets the committee's approval to do so.

With regard to the inability to pay under a sectoral employment order, there is a similar statutory provision under the 2015 Act, as there is for the National Minimum Wage Act, so there is a mechanism. If an employer is genuinely unable to make the minimum payments, as per the sectoral employment order, he or she can seek exemption from the requirement through the Labour Court. There is a process for that particular mechanism. Does that answer the Senator's questions?