Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

We all appreciate that, in the current economic climate, many people have needed to take a reduction in wages, including Members of the Houses, the public service in general and the private sector. However, strong evidence suggests that some employers have used the recession to reduce working hours and staff pay unfairly. I have been made aware of a particular instance in which not only have payments on certain days been cut, namely, bank holidays and Sundays, but the people concerned are earning less than €70 per day. This is outrageous. We all appreciate that pain must be taken and everyone within reason has taken his or her share, but some employers are stepping beyond the mark. I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to the House to debate the situation. I have information that I will pass to the Minister because this situation must be tackled. We all appreciate that we must tighten our belts. Tightening a belt is one thing, but asphyxiating employees is not right and must stop.