Mr. Ultan Courtney:

I am not able to help the Deputy too much on the second part of his question. The important thing for the commission, and the point we are making, is that the principle of supports specifically targeted at helping employers in relation to the minimum wage is good. Deputy O'Reilly asked a very pertinent question, namely, whether a support will be appropriate, will fit and will work, if it is not targeted and so on. At the end of the day, we have to see how that pans out and whether it works. The acceptance of the principle, however, was very important. It caused a lot of important discussion at the Low Pay Commission. There have been well-designed schemes in the past. Our recommendation and view in respect of it is that supports may be necessary - time will tell whether they are or not - and the Government should design a scheme that is appropriate, works, and has sufficient funding to make sure it works. At this stage, that is about all I can say regarding it. It may not be sufficient but it is probably all I can do.