Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 55 is similar to the one moved by Senator Reilly, which I support. A fine of €2,000 is hardly likely to deter an employer from paying less than the national minimum wage. If the fine was set at €20,000 per employee, it could amount to a fairly substantial sum if an employer was underpaying several staff. That would be a deterrent. Social welfare transfers are required where an individual is being paid less than the minimum wage.