Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 6, line 4, to delete "the desirability of agreeing and maintaining" and substitute "the agreeing and maintaining of".

Every time we begin a debate on this issue, it is important to put it in the context of what we are trying to achieve. Today we heard the shocking figure that the unemployment rate has increased to 14.9%. It has reached crisis level. The number of long-term unemployed has increased to almost 200,000. In other words, 200,000 families' futures are very precarious. Their present circumstances are also very precarious in that they are struggling to deal with the day-to-day costs of life. They have very little hope. The rate of emigration is at an epidemic level. As was stated here, nine people are emigrating from the State per hour.

Wages are being reduced in the joint labour committees, JLC, sector. I brought forward legislation a year ago on this subject in the hope of putting in place a floor or a system whereby affected individuals would have their wages and livelihoods protected. Unfortunately, within the past year, legislation in this area has not been implemented. We are now at a stage in which the individuals affected are having their wages cut.

We must remind ourselves that more than 200,000 people in the State function in what was known as the JLC sector. They work and survive on an average of €18,000 per annum, which is half the average wage. It is a small fraction of the wages of Teachtaí Dála and Ministers. This is part of a downward spiral leading to a cut in demand because people do not have money to spend. This leads to unemployment. Therefore, what we put in place in this Chamber ought to be robust and defend the livelihoods of individuals. It must also take into consideration the cost of small business and allow small businesses to function.

My amendment should be considered seriously by the Minister. It concerns the "desirability" of agreeing and maintaining a fair and substantial rate of remuneration. The word "desirability" dilutes the necessity for the system to maintain fair and sustainable rates of remuneration. On Committee Stage, the Minister gave the impression that this was a moot point. In other words, he felt it would make no real difference to how the legislation would be interpreted. If so, the word "desirability" should not be a sticking point for him. According to his thinking, the word does not have an effect. We believe the phrasing does not constitute a moot point and that it dilutes the legal basis on which a decision may be made. Therefore, we ask the Minister to agree to the amendment.

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