Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

In his reply to Deputy Kenny, the Taoiseach stated it is intended that the House will resume after Christmas a week earlier than expected. My recollection is that the date pencilled in for the resumption of the Dáil is 19 January. Will the Taoiseach confirm that the intended date for resumption of the Dáil is 12 January?

Last week, I asked the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste about the Government's intention with regards to the legislation required if the Government intends to go ahead with cutting the national minimum wage by €1 an hour, or €2,000 a year, for people on the lowest level of pay in the country. When is this to be introduced? Replying to Deputy Shortall last week, the Minister for Social Protection seemed to indicate that it was the Government's intention to sneak in this piece of legislation by way of a Report Stage amendment to the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill which is before the Dáil. What is the Government's intention with regard to the legislation? If the Government intends to go ahead with cutting the minimum wage, which I sincerely hope it does not, when and by what means will the legislation be introduced?

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