Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The issue of the minimum wage is under consideration and it is a commitment in the programme for Government. I believe that in order to be successful, these projects need to be kept in harness. As part of increasing the minimum wage a balanced package will require greater flexibility in setting wages and other terms and conditions related to it. I would regard these two processes of reforming the REA, registered employment agreements, and the JLC system and the increasing of the minimum wage rate, as being paired. The reduction in the minimum wage rate was part of the EU and IMF agreement and it will have to be discussed with the IMF and the EU with regard to its implementation. It is important, both from an Irish point of view and from the point of view of satisfying the EU and IMF, that the two issues are paired. It must be shown that we are introducing a balanced package to respond to the needs of the labour market.

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