Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I very much respect what the Labour Party is seeking to achieve in its motion before us. I always saw my role as a public representative as one where if I could put money into the pockets of the people I represent, that is what I would like to do, and the same would go for other Members, but I would want to do that in a practical, sensible and affordable way. Like Deputy Mattie McGrath, I must declare that since 1985 I have been a small employer. I have a number of different businesses on the go and I have been fortunate to have very good people working with me over many years. All I try to do at all times is to keep those small businesses going, and to do that I must balance everything. It is all a balancing act.

Businesses face a number of problems. One is insurance costs. My insurance costs for public liability and other areas have increased by 44% in the past 12 months. With respect to there being a hike in wages, I would be delighted if an employer could afford to do that, and if an employer is making money, he or she would be delighted to pay such an increase, but if an employer cannot make money, they cannot pay such an increase.

I come from County Kerry where tourism is one of the major employers. There are big hoteliers in Killarney who are big employers. They tell me that if there was an immediate hike in employment costs, they might not manage to pay their employees' wages. We have to balance everything. On the one hand, we desperately want to ensure employees have enough money to raise their families, pay their bills and cover the cost of the payments on their houses, but we cannot hit the employer in a way that it will not be manageable for him or her to keep their business doors open. Without the small business, the corner shop, pub or restaurant, we are going nowhere. We must foster an environment that those people will be able to create employment. I know it is populist to say that it would be great if employees could be paid €15 an hour straight into their hands. We would all be delighted if that could be done, but is that profitable or achievable?

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