Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

This is precisely the purpose of the amendment. We want to copper-fasten the minimum protection which low-paid workers have at present. We also want to ensure those on low incomes are protected and cannot be abused further. There is no question of this being an issue in the context of competitiveness, a lie which has been peddled in recent times. The average wage in Ireland is €22 per hour and employers are recruiting at that average level. Therefore, the minimum wage has nothing to do with competitiveness. In the budgetary context, cutting the minimum wage will make no difference to Exchequer finances. There will be no savings as a result.

The approach taken with regard to the minimum wage is a complete lie, like so many other aspects of the budget. I hope backbenchers here, the Green Party and those three amigos at the back, the Ballymagash politicians, Deputies Jackie Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry and Joe Behan, people who bring this House into total disrepute, realise what this budget will do to their constituents and I hope their constituents will act accordingly.

See this speech in context