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

The plan initially is to go to 60% by 2026 and then to 66% but that can be speeded up or slowed down depending on economic circumstances. Part of the research behind this, done by Maynooth University, indicated there is a point at which, if the minimum wage is increased too much too quickly, there can be negative effects. People could be laid off, businesses could close and people's hours could be cut back. We all want to avoid these effects, and that is why the plan is not being implemented in one fell swoop.

I acknowledge that Germany has increased its minimum wage by a very large amount very quickly. It will be interesting to see how that pans out. If it pans out well, that is potentially instructive for us. If it does not, it will also be instructive for us, but we will need to examine it.

On the question on mandatory retirement clauses, we do not have a date for legislation but are examining the matter.

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