Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

Déanam comhghairdeas leis an Teachta Tóibín as An Bille Caidrimh Thionscail a thabhairt os ár gcomhair le plé inniu.

I welcome the remarks made by the Minister. He is correct in saying that there must be robust protection for lower paid workers while there must also be support for employers in the context of the creation of jobs. We must strike a balance in this regard. That said, we cannot ignore the findings of the courts or engage in an À la carte interpretation of the Duffy-Walsh report. It is incumbent on us, as legislators and politicians, to protect and preserve employment. We must protect low-paid workers while also catering for the needs of those who create employment.

The majority of the people I meet who are unemployed want to work. They want to have jobs and they want the Government to create them. They want to live in a country where they will be paid to work and they want this to be the case for their children when they grow up. The Minister was absolutely correct when he stated that the nature of work and of the working week have changed since 1946. That is why it is important to consider this issue holistically and in a manner which is devoid of party politics, does not set employers against employees and does not create hysteria. The Minister is right to take his time. The court did not make its ruling on a whim. The judgment handed down was based on analysis and interpretation.

I am in complete agreement with the Minister in respect of the issue of constitutionality. We cannot ignore the concerns that exist in this regard. I was greatly heartened by the remarks the Minister made earlier. It is important that we should take time and not become hysterical. We have an obligation to work for the people in our communities who voted for us. We must also ensure we place a value on work. We must banish the mantra one often hears to the effect that it is better to be unemployed than employed. If that mantra continues to hold sway, then the country will become an absolute banana republic. I would much prefer if the Minister took his time to ensure that existing employment can be protected and new jobs created.

The Government demonstrated its commitment to the lower paid by restoring the minimum wage to its previous level. Deputy O'Dea castigated those of us on this side of the House but he was a member of the Administration which was in office for 14 years which reduced the minimum wage and presided over an economic collapse. When that Government was in power, there was no regulation or checks and balances, and a certain cosy cartel ran the country. Consider the position in which we find ourselves now as a result. The people who worked very hard in recent years are the ones who are suffering. Following years in which nothing was done, we must take our time with regard to what we intend to do. We should endeavour - away from the glare of the media - to create employment and cater for those who require the assistance of the State by putting in place a proper minimum wage and a proper work strategy.

The Minister, Deputy Bruton, indicated that he is willing to reform the entire system in the interests of protecting and creating employment. The needs of employers and entrepreneurs must also be taken into account. Deputy English is correct. People are shutting their shops, pubs and restaurants and that is not right. Let us have a proper debate on this matter and do what is right for the people who elected us.

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