Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

The main proposal exercising people's minds at present is probably that of the Minister for Social Protection on sick pay. We all know sick pay comprises a difficulty but the manner in which it is being handled is not in the interest of increasing employment and protecting small businesses. There is certainly a problem with sick pay throughout the public service that needs to be addressed, but the Minister will have to find other ways of addressing it rather than through putting the burden back on small employers.