Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Bill before us is straightforward and simple. I do not know how anybody could oppose it. It would give hospitality workers, who are low paid and on approximately half the average industrial wage, a legal right to have what is their own. We have a solution. We have a Bill that has gone through the Seanad and it should go through this House also, without any messing. If the Government or anybody else wants to put forward amendments, they can do so. It would put an end to the injustice of low paid workers in the hospitality sector having money in the form of their tips taken from them. It is unacceptable that any worker would not have the legal right to take home at the end of the evening what is rightfully theirs. Our Bill would strengthen workers’ rights and give more power to people who are currently working in a sector that is dominated by low pay and precarious employment. Most people I have spoken to throughout the country and in my constituency are shocked and surprised to find the tips they leave do not always get to the workers and that workers do not have a legal right to them. Most people are shocked and outraged to find there is a high chance the owners will take the tips with their labour.

My constituency has a large tourism sector, which is good and brings a lot of business and wealth to the area. However ,the industry is built on the back of these workers and would not exist but for the work and commitment of those who get up early in the morning and work late at night. It is shameful to think the Government may oppose this Bill and deny each and every worker their statutory right to have these tips. It is telling that the Minister did not find the time to meet with the trade union sector on this Bill but she did meet representatives of the Restaurants Association of Ireland.

I have a money message, given money messages are often popped up in the House to stop Bills. There is a message in this Bill that we should make sure the money that is earned by the workers goes to them. Sinn Féin is a party of ordinary working people and we stand with workers and for workers’ rights. However, we are also a party of solutions and this Bill is an example of that. We have a Bill which would provide the solution for workers and give them what belongs to them. I call on all parties to support the Bill in the Dáil and give it the support it received in the Seanad.

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