Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

On this issue, a little unlike Deputy Finian McGrath, I stand firmly behind the Labour Party. This is an extremely difficult problem and it would not be a good idea to have a knee-jerk reaction to a highly controversial court case of this nature. It appears as though this pertains to the discretion that is exercised by the joint labour committees and it probably will take some time to sort out this matter. In the present climate, there is a danger of creating an industrial relations atmosphere that is conducive to old-fashioned hostilities. In particular at present, on foot of the death of social partnership, a new plan and model for industrial relations probably is needed. This certainly will not be built on the old social partnership model, which now is dead and which bears much responsibility for the artificial boom because of excessive payments. However, it also demands a great deal of thought as to how to match the legitimate grievances of people for whom this Bill caters with the needs of small businesses.

At the time, many Deputies and Senators were lobbied extensively about the proposed increase to the minimum wage. I could not help but be split on that issue because on the one hand, as Deputy Catherine Murphy has so eloquently noted, the plight of people who are in receipt of the minimum wage is something that cannot be allowed as a civilised society. On the other hand, I also was impressed by small employers in the retail sector who came forward and stated with legitimacy and honesty that they could not afford to pay the premium rates that were being demanded for Sundays and so on.

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