Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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For the purpose of the record, I have never met a low-paid worker yet who did not want a pay increase and I would be shocked if such a worker exists. We have seen no evidence that they do. It is quite the hill to pick but Mr. Courtney has chosen it, not us. It beggars belief that low-paid workers would write or ask not to have pay increases. It is not my experience. I have some small amount of experience in the area of industrial relations and there is a fair amount of it within my family. Having spoken to people within my family with a lot more experience than I have, they too are quite baffled by Mr. Courtney's statement but it is his hill and he has chosen it.

Could I ask him briefly about sub-minimum rates of pay, whereby we know workers are paid as little as 70%. They pay the same tax, PRSI and USC. I do not see any reason for the discrimination but obviously it was put in by people who felt it was necessary. The Mandate trade union has stated that its belief is this is outdated and old fashioned. I know that the commission has been tasked with doing a piece of work on this area. Could Mr. Courtney just give us a brief update? I am conscious that my time is tight so if it is necessary to share documents with us afterwards that would be helpful, but a brief update would be appreciated.