Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I suppose it does not rule out EuroMed, for example, trying to reach some understanding on how one can achieve what the Deputy proposes. It is not an easy issue to address. I have been given information in the past week on what is happening in respect of all the operators, not just Irish Ferries. The information concerns not only those operating on the Irish Sea but also to those operating on other seas. They are all engaged in a similar practice. As I said last week, it is obviously not one with which I agree.

On Deputy Ó Caoláin's question on the practices of Irish Ferries having a knock-on effect, the protection of employment standards is an important goal of public policy. We do not want to revive a low-wage economy in this country and, in particular, we do not want to foster a social division by having decent jobs held by Irish citizens become low-paid positions targeted at migrant workers. That is precisely what we do not want to do. The country has invested considerably in tackling poverty and inequality. I am certainly not prepared to see this undone by short-sighted and exploitative decisions, which some of the companies in question seem to believe are all right. Ultimately, if one goes down this road, the State will wind up subsidising the individuals concerned because unsustainable low-paid employment will have to be augmented through family income supplement, social services and so on. I am satisfied we have a realistic minimum wage in this country to protect against this form of exploitation. It represents good protection of employment.

I have listened to many experts in this field in recent weeks because of the Irish Ferries issue. They all say the circumstances of the maritime sector would appear to put employment of seafarers beyond the minimum wage regime here. Both sides seem to say this is the position and that directly comparable circumstances should therefore not arise in other employments. However, I would be concerned about this in spite of what people say. Issues arise from recent events which we all need to consider, including the arrangements for repayment of part of the costs of redundancy settlements to employers and the adequacy of our industrial relations framework in circumstances such as these.

I meant to say in reply to Deputy Rabbitte the other day that we should make it very clear that the Government, and everyone in the House, did not agree to immediate access to the Irish labour market by citizens of new member states to displace Irish workers. We agreed to it because it was right to allow newly acceded countries to gain access to the European Union. This was not a green light for employers to decide it presented a way to cut their costs and increase profitability.

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