Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I am disappointed as that is hardly a commitment to the re-establishment of the social partnership process, although I welcome the Taoiseach's remarks that this process has played an important role in industrial relations.

There is a case in point. Down the road from here, five workers in the Davenport Hotel had their wages lowered without their consent. The ensuing dispute went to the Labour Court, which found in favour of the workers. The social partnership process would have prevented that from happening.

That type of scenario arises mostly because of the Government cut in the minimum wage, which sent the signal to employers that they could do this in the non-consultative way it was done in the Davenport Hotel. Would the Taoiseach commit to when the minimum wage will be put back to what it should be, which, indeed, is a minimum?

I appreciate that the Taoiseach met the women workers - I am advised by a colleague behind me in this case - and he will be familiar with the case. When does the Taoiseach intend to move on his pledge to reverse the cuts in the minimum wage? Would he not consider the Davenport Hotel case as a striking example of why we need, with all its flaws, that process of social partnership?

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