Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In Ireland the minimum wage is set by the Government on the advice of the Low Pay Commission. It takes into account many factors, ranging from the cost of living to risks to employment, particularly in Border areas, should the minimum wage be increased too rapidly. We take the advice of the Low Pay Commission and the minimum wage has been increased by approximately 25% in the last couple of years. While it is modest, it is one of the highest in the world. There is a living wage in the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, which is lower than the minimum wage here.

See this speech in context