Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The Government introduced the concept of the minimum wage, therefore we do not wish to introduce legislation which would enable employers or anyone else to deviate from it. It was not intended that the provision would be used by employers to pay anyone less than the minimum wage.

I thank Senator Terry for bringing this matter to our attention and I will consider the amendment sympathetically between now and Report Stage. We may come back with something the same or a slight variation but I accept the principle behind the amendment.