Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I am sure the Taoiseach will agree this is an important issue in terms of the protection of hundreds of thousands of low paid workers. In his discussions with the trade union movement, it is clear the movement, in the first instance, sought that this decision would be appealed. Has the Government received advices from the Attorney General in this regard? Why has an appeal not been lodged to the High Court decision or an application for a stay on the execution of the judgment pending the outcome of such an appeal? If the Government has considered such advices, will the Taoiseach outline the reasons, it will not appeal the decision? We all know of the divisions within the Government on this. For the past two months, Ministers have publicly articulated in the media different perspectives on the JLCs and how they should operate and their positions on them. The suspicion lurks that the ball is in the court of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and that he has his opponents within the Cabinet where he wants them. Why has the Government not taken the decision to appeal the High Court judgment?

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