Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Like colleagues, I rise to support this amendment. It is important that those who are currently benefiting from the existing protection with the minimum wage as it is today pending the enactment of this Bill, should not be put under pressure and should not find themselves unemployed in circumstances in which they do not agree to a reduction based on the legislation that is today before the House.

In a moment I want to contrast the Government position on this issue with its position on a related issue that is of relevance to this legislation, but I want, momentarily, despite the fact it is a distraction, make reference to Deputy Gogarty's contribution. It is important at times of great economic difficulty, when the public is under pressure and when there is much misery in people's lives, that someone plays the role of national comedian and, generally, gives people the opportunity for a laugh. It is just a pity that they should choose to use this Chamber as the theatre in which to express themselves.

See this speech in context