Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

A survey on this issue has been carried out on restaurants in Galway and it has been proven that this practice goes on quite regularly. Senator Gavan produced that survey. Information is also available in respect of The Ivy restaurant; the Minister will have seen the payslips. There have also been reports in the media in respect of the Hard Rock Cafe and other restaurants and retailers who engage in this practice. This is a very low practice involving employers being very greedy and taking money from the hands of their workers who are trying to make a living. They are low-paid workers who get up early every single morning, who work late every single night, and who stand on their feet all day. This House and the Government should be protecting these workers as best we can.

The Minister spoke about a code of practice. Is he looking at bringing in a statutory instrument with regard to tips? Businesses could also be banned from adding a service charge or forced to make it clear that the charge is discretionary. The Minister should look at those angles. He did not answer the question regarding Peter Mark.

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