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

On the issue of the national minimum wage, we have the sixth highest national minimum wage in Europe when adjusted for the cost of living and purchasing power parity. The increase this year is 7.8%, which is ahead of the rate of inflation projected for this year. On sub-minimum youth rates, in my capacity as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment last year, I wrote to the Low Pay Commission and asked it to consider the matter. That consideration would include research and at the right time, the commission will convene a meeting on that point. We expect the advice of the commission this year and we will be in a position to make a decision before changes come into place in January next year. One way or another, a decision on the matter will definitely be made during the term of this Government. The matter was not raised with me in Iceland.

On the UK Government's legacy Bill, I restate the Government's opposition. We articulate that opposition at every opportunity when we engage with the British Government. The Bill has not yet become law and as the Tánaiste has said, we do not rule out taking part in a legal challenge or interstate case but it is too soon to make that judgment now. I have met victims' groups and they know that the possibility of prosecutions in many of these cases is very low. However, they want that possibility to remain. They want investigations to happen and want to know what happened. They want people to have to account for their actions.

I am reflecting on Deputy Ó Murchú's remarks when I say this is not just about the British army but is also about IRA terrorists and loyalists. Most of the victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland were victims of paramilitary groups and they deserve justice too. We all need to look into our hearts to see what we can do on the legacy issue to help the disappeared to be found, to help victims of violence and to ensure that people who committed war crimes are held to account. That includes IRA terrorists as well as loyalist paramilitaries.

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