Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)

A system is put in place to represent people when there is no system whereby they can be properly represented as people are in other sectors. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, mentioned the possibility of significant employment gains in the tourism sector, on which the Government is focused as witnessed by the VAT changes. However, tourists expect a certain level of service and one cannot expect people to provide First World levels of service and effort with Third World rates of pay.

I ask the Minister seriously to rethink these proposals. They are not supported by any economic studies I have read and will not create any extra employment. They will reduce wages, damage the source of solidarity and, by reducing demand in the economy, will increase unemployment and all its attendant illnesses.

See this speech in context