Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government has decided to set up a low pay commission. There is a structure and a process to be followed here. There will have to be consultation, terms of reference will have to be set out and a determination will have to be made on how the commission will do its job. This is important. It used to be the case that the Government of the day would receive a recommendation from those involved in the social partnership process about a figure, arbitrary or otherwise. It is important that there is proper and comprehensive analysis, discussion, negotiation and transparency in this regard. I cannot give the Deputy a date for when it will be up and running and when it will actually report. It will be driven by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Minister of State with responsibility for business and employment. The Bill will eventually be taken through the House by the Minister of State, Deputy Nash. I would like to make it clear in response to the Deputy's question about a living wage that we want to create more jobs that pay people enough money to show the difference between working and not working. The fact that 70,000 jobs have been created in the last 12 months speaks for itself.

I will write to Deputy Adams about the Palestinian convention.

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