Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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All those present in the room are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. Members are required to participate in the meeting remotely from within the Leinster House complex. Apologies have been received from Senators Paul Gavan and Róisín Garvey. Today we are going to discuss the cost of living, the minimum wage increase and the Low Pay Commission report. Most employees in Ireland are entitled to a minimum wage under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. Since 1 January 2022, the national minimum wage is €10.50 per hour. In July 2022, the Low Pay Commission published its report, Recommendations for the National Minimum Wage. On 14 September, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Leo Varadkar, announced that he had received Government approval to accept the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission to increase the national minimum wage by 80 cent to €11.30 per hour from 1 January 2023.

Today I am pleased we have the opportunity to consider these matters further. I would like to welcome from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Dr. Laura Bambrick, head of social policy and employment affairs, and Mr. Liam Berney, industrial officer. We had invited IBEC but unfortunately its representatives were unable to attend. We tried to get others to attend but it was too late. That is why we just have one side, so to speak.

I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses regarding references witnesses may make to another person when giving 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 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 as way as to make him, her or it identifiable or engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially damaging to a person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that witnesses comply with any such direction.

The opening statements have been circulated to all the members. To commence our consideration of this matter, I now invite Dr. Laura Bambrick to make the opening statement on behalf of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.