Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will make three points on that. First, people are always open to challenge in the courts. We believe in that as a democracy and we have to accept that, even when an order is agreed by employers and employees. There will always be some who want to challenge for whatever reasons. Second, I acknowledge the rates in security are very tight but, again, it is the minimum. It is the floor and not the ceiling. We want to see the average wages in those sectors, like construction, moving so much higher that they are not trying to get €12.70 or €12.90 an hour but are far greater. Third, on relativity, it goes both ways. These are always open to renegotiation and for new orders to be brought in. The Government stands ready with the agencies in the State to work with employees and their trade union representatives, but equally with employers, to move with the need. We are in an extremely tight labour market and employers and employees know the need to move wages up to reflect that.

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