Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply. What was the nature of the discussions undertaken as part of the Towards 2016 programme? Were any particular targets set in that regard, or did the social partners address that issue? Was the Minister caught on the hop by the Tánaiste, Deputy McDowell's, solo-run intervention, or was it a naked pitch for the grey vote? It startled everybody across the country and not just the Minister present. Did the Tánaiste give any indication, perhaps via a sneak preview, to his Government partners? In that context, did I understand the Minister to say that 50% of average industrial earnings is measured at €300?

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