Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I see the Taoiseach was out peddling the old Thatcherite myths earlier on about wage increases causing inflation. He was at it again. At a time when inflation stood at 5.5%, the Government increased the minimum wage by 2.9%. It is a statement of fact that the Taoiseach's Government and the Taoiseach have introduced a de factopay cut for the lowest paid workers in this State. At a time when the average minimum wage increase across the European Union is 6%, the Taoiseach's Government has decided to increase Ireland's minimum wage by less than half of that. Tomorrow, in the Dáil, I will move a motion calling for an emergency review of the national minimum wage rate, for an increase that at least fully compensates for price increases as they impact on the low-paid, and for a new rate to be introduced no later than 1 May 2022. Many out there that the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, only said what the Taoiseach and his Government colleagues believe and say to themselves behind closed doors. Do the Government parties intend to vote for my motion tomorrow? If so, do they intend to act on it?

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