Ms Jean McCabe:

To reiterate Deputy Shanahan's points, the PwC report on business restructuring, which has just been published, shows a 25% increase in insolvencies in the first half of this year, the majority of which were in hospitality, retail and construction. It is no coincidence that those three sectors are the same sectors outlined in the economic impact assessment report from the Department as being the most vulnerable to the increases in the minimum wage. It is important, when considering the sub-minimum rate, that we do not do so in a silo. We must take into account the impact it is going have on retail, hospitality and construction, the three most vulnerable sectors that all the data shows are impacted by this. I am a small business owner and I do not think anyone on the Low Pay Commission has ever managed a profit and loss statement, P&L. It is a fundamental flaw that there is no representation from hospitality and retail, the largest minimum wage employers in the country, on the commission. It is crucial that the right people are at the table and that this conversation includes people on the ground who know what the reality is like.