Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is clear from the Deputy's question that he does not think it would be appropriate for anyone to undermine or pre-empt the work of the Low Pay Commission. That is exactly what is laid out in the rules in the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Act 2015, as passed in the Dáil last year. The independence of the commission must be respected and observed by all, including the Government. Obviously, all the criteria must be taken into account in the legislation but the commission is independent. It has met on 18 occasions since February 2015. It has examined the available data and the 33 responses it received. There was public consultation and it held meetings in Monaghan, Galway and Dublin and it met with a wide range of groups.

Under the Act, the Minister must, within three months of receiving the recommendation in the report, make a decision and make the necessary order. If the Minister departs from the recommendation or declines to make an order, the Minister must prepare to lay this before both Houses of the Oireachtas and state the reasons for his or her doing so. I stress once again that the commission is independent. I cannot speak for the commission nor can the Minister, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, and that is extremely important.

The Deputy asked what considerations the commission takes on board. It takes on board a wide range of considerations when it makes decisions, which are not made lightly. The commission has looked at all the areas of concern for the employers and employees. The commission's role is to ensure the wage is appropriate and is one employers and employees can sustain, which is extremely important.

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