Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Howlin is correct. We have dealt with the issue raised by Deputy Finian McGrath in considerable detail already. I remind Deputy Hogan that the national minimum wage is set under the terms of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. I do not propose to introduce legislation to change its existing legislative basis. I intend to ask the ESRI to conduct an assessment of the effect the current proposal would have on competitiveness.

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