Results 1,561-1,580 of 6,431 for speaker:Gerald Nash

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 May 2015)

Gerald Nash: I am pleased to introduce the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015. Before I give the details of the Bill it is also worth taking stock of the progress we are making more generally in terms of our economic recovery. More than 100,000 extra jobs have been created since the start of 2012 when the Government's Action Plan for Jobs was launched. The latest figures released last...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 May 2015)

Gerald Nash: It does.

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 May 2015)

Gerald Nash: It does deal with that.

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 May 2015)

Gerald Nash: I thank Senators for their constructive contributions and welcome the general expression of support voiced for many objectives of the proposed legislation. Setting up the statutory Low Pay Commission is, as Senator White said, designed to take much of the politics out of the setting of the minimum wage. I was very pleased with the high calibre of people appointed to the commission on an...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015: Second Stage (27 May 2015)

Gerald Nash: -----representing the SME sector and are SME owners. People in trade unions and civil society have spent their entire working lives and, in some cases in voluntary capacities, representing the interests of working people. In many cases, they represented the interests of working people at the margins and those working in sectors of the economy associated with low pay. I can assure the House...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Retention (28 May 2015)

Gerald Nash: I understand that the closure of the supermarket in question related to a private commercial dispute between the supermarket and the owner of the shopping centre in which it is located. I understand further that the employees of the supermarket had been informed that they should report for work in the normal way as rostered and that they would continue to be paid. I welcome the fact that the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Retention (28 May 2015)

Gerald Nash: I understand that the closure of the supermarket in question related to a private commercial dispute between the supermarket and the owner of the shopping centre in which it is located. I understand further that the employees of the supermarket had been informed that they should report for work in the normal way as rostered and that they would continue to be paid. I welcome the fact that the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Pension Provisions (28 May 2015)

Gerald Nash: I fully appreciate the concerns of retired and deferred members of pension schemes whose schemes are being restructured, particularly where such restructuring may impact on existing or potential pension benefits. In this regard, the question of pensioner groups having access to the State’s industrial relations machinery in pursuing pension scheme grievances is an issue to which...

Draft Commission of Investigation (Certain matters concerning transactions entered into by IBRC) Order 2015: Motion (9 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: By now both the politicians and those who report on us have recovered from the bout of bank holiday giddiness that took hold the weekend before last. Talk of a constitutional crisis that threatened to put the organs of State at loggerheads was very quickly and calmly dispelled by a few quiet words from Mr. Justice Binchy. Like everybody in this House, I welcome the statement by Mr. Justice...

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Order for Second Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to introduce the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015 for the consideration of the House. For several years there have been gaps in the statutory framework as regards workers who seek to better their terms and conditions either through collective bargaining or by means of registered employment agreements, REAs. These...

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: Trade unions must take the case.

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: Only the trade unions have access to the Labour Court.

Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: I have no intention of going anywhere.

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: I apologise for my late arrival.

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: The purpose of the Bill is to provide for the necessary amendments to the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000 to ensure the establishment of the Low Pay Commission on a statutory basis. The principal function of the commission will be, on an annual basis, to examine and make recommendations to the Minister of the day on the national minimum wage with a view to ensuring the national minimum wage,...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: Section 4 sets out very clear objectives. The national minimum wage should be designed to assist as many low paid workers as is reasonably practicable; should be set at a rate that is both fair and sustainable and, where adjustment is appropriate, adjusted incrementally and over time progressively increased, without creating significant adverse consequences for employment or competitiveness....

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: A number of very interesting points have been made. I would not have had the opportunity to become a councillor had I not had a very understanding employer when I first entered public life in the late 1990s. I am sure this experience will chime with that of many in this Chamber this afternoon. The issue needs to be taken very seriously. Over recent weeks, I noted that some people are very...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: On amendment No. 15, section 5 of the Bill inserts a new section 10C in the 2000 Act and provides for the function of the commission on low pay. In addition to making an annual recommendation report to the Minister on the national minimum hourly rate of pay, new section 10C(4) provides that the commission may be requested by the Minister to examine and report on such matters related generally...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2015)

Gerald Nash: I appreciate that Senator Keane has made contact with my office in that regard and there has been some correspondence. The Low Pay Commission will be looking at a range of sectors in the economy and different issues around low pay. I appreciate and accept what Senator Keane said. The child care sector is an extremely important one for society. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs,...