Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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I remind people attending remotely that they must do so from within the Leinster House complex. Apologies have been received from Deputy Shanahan and Senators Gavan and Sherlock. Today we will look at detailed scrutiny of the National Minimum Wage (Equal Pay for Young Workers) Bill 2022.

On 17 June 2024 the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment received notification that the National Minimum Wage (Equal Pay for Young Workers) Bill 2022 had been read a Second Time. On 19 June 2024 the committee agreed to commence detailed scrutiny of the Bill. On 10 July the committee heard from representatives from the Mandate trade union, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association, ISME, and the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI. The Bill provides for the amendment of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 to remove the lower minimum wage rates imposed on those employed between the ages of 16 and 20. The committee is pleased to have the opportunity to consider these matters further with the following representatives from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Mr. Diarmaid Smyth, principal officer, labour market and skills unit; Dr. Dermot Coates, principal officer, economic and tax policy unit; Ms Claire Pyke, assistant principal officer, labour market and skills unit; Ms Karen Hogan, administrative officer, labour market and skills unit; and Mr. Hugh Creaton, administrative officer, labour market and skills unit.

Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses who are physically present or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected under the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed by me to discontinue their remarks and it is important that they comply with any such direction.

The opening statements have been circulated to members. I now invite Mr. Smyth to make his opening remarks on behalf of the Department.