Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The minimum wage in this country is the second highest in Europe, it is not paltry. If the Deputy so desires, we can have a debate to congratulate ourselves on the fact that the rate is so high. The Government has tried to keep those on the minimum wage out of the tax net. All EU and OECD statistics prove that low paid workers in this country — in so far as they are on low pay — are outside the tax net. With respect, the Deputy is talking nonsense.

See this speech in context