Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I am delighted to speak to this Private Members' motion. I want to introduce a reasoned debate on the issue. As an employer, I understand something of the issues involved, as well as dealing with my constituents. I agree with most of what my colleagues have said but the Minister, Deputy Bruton's intervention is timely. We must be reasonable because we are in a deep and serious recession following a boom. Many thousands of workers never benefited from the so-called Celtic tiger. Nonetheless, the lMF is in town and, together with our EU partners, they are forcing us to deal with issues and examine matters across the board in order to introduce competitiveness to the economy. Above all, we must continue to have fair play and protect low-paid workers at all costs. I voted against my own Government when it sought to cut the minimum wage. However, what some of the JLCs had established was pure nonsense and unsustainable. One pay rate might apply in a Dublin pub, while next door in a café a different rate could apply.

The previous speaker referred to what happened in 1912 with Connolly and Larkin. In more recent decades I have supported moves to protect workers, but when we introduced new laws, we never repealed the old ones. Therefore, we have a plethora of laws and it is impossible for employers or prospective employers to work with them and related issues. Many such measures were negotiated under the aegis of the former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, when there was a "give all" policy and anything could be negotiated. Union leaders made good packages for themselves, but many workers were left outside the remit of such negotiations. In addition, small companies were not represented at the table in the partnership talks because they were not members of IBEC or the Construction Industry Federation. These employers have been ploughing a lonely furrow, although they have a good relationship with their workers. The minimum wage does not enter their minds; they are more concerned with ensuring the payment of fair remuneration for workers with whom they have had an excellent relationship for many decades.

In opposition many members of the Government made promises to undo and change everything. They said there would be fair play across the board, but when they took office, they found that the IMF had laid down strict guidelines. However, we should not throw out the baby with the bath water. We must seriously examine some agreements and renegotiate them. Many people in my area are ready, willing and able to work for the rates they receive in the catering business. They are also happy to work unsocial hours. They do not want to be told by the National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, that they must charge for working extra time because they have a good relationship with their employers. NERA is supposedly working to police employers. I do not condone the actions of unscrupulous employers for one minute and would condemn any who treat workers unfairly. However, we must support reasonable employers and encourage them to stay in business and create more jobs.

Reference has been made to the bloodstock industry which has major issues to face. Most of those involved in that sector, including trainers and jockeys, understand most race meetings are held on Saturdays and Sundays. The wages might not be 100%, but they are in the job for the love of it. They do it well and are rewarded for winning and maintaining the good name of the bloodstock industry, especially in south Tipperary. They are not asking NERA to police the industry and demanding time and a half on Saturdays or double time on Sundays to ride horses. They love to be out on the racetrack doing what they do best - winning races and promoting the business. We must be fair and reasonable in this regard. We must examine the issue and listen to the Minister. I hope fair play and reason will prevail.

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