Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

I support the thrust of the recommendation. While the minimum wage has increased from its initial level, it continues to be sparse and parsimonious. A person on the minimum wage is on a minimum standard of living and effectively on the breadline.

From the point of view of saying that we compare well with other jurisdictions that argument might be valid. At the same time, as a result of the returns the Minister is claiming, despite the initial bad prognosis in regard to Revenue, surely he is now in a position to accede to this amendment and to give relief to people on the lower income scale who are barely able to survive. Admittedly their standard of living is somewhat guaranteed by a statutory minimum wage, but at the same time they are struggling hard to keep body and soul together and to maintain a reasonably decent minimum standard of living.

I fully support this amendment. The Minister should reflect on his attitude, as expressed on Committee Stage in the other House, and accept it.