Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The change in the policy on the national minimum wage is a decision of the Government and it reverses the position adopted by the previous Government under the EU-IMF agreement. This decision reverses the policy in place before the Government took office. Legislation will have to be introduced to implement this because I cannot do this by order. A Bill will have to be debated and voted on in the House.

Deputy O'Dea asked whether the two Bills would be taken together. That remains to be seen. It depends on timing issues and the complexity of reforms whether they will be addressed in one Bill or separate Bills. However, they are separate issues.

I hope to publish this report soon but I will also convey its contents to the EU Commission, as was undertaken. It played a role in commissioning the report and, therefore, there is no reason to hold it back. I will make it available to the EU as well. I am anxious to publish it, indicate the direction of change to avoid a long period of uncertainty, as Members have highlighted, and make the decisions that are appropriate.

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