Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the establishment of the low pay commission, which will have its first meeting today. I am sure everyone will wish to join with me in wishing chairperson Dr. Donal de Buitléir and the eight commissioners the very best of luck in the hugely important work they will be doing. The Tánaiste spoke about the 95,000 new jobs created since the depths of the crisis and said that 3,300 jobs were being created every month, a record of job creation that is well ahead of target. Many others, including myself, have already spoken on that subject this week in light of the good news we have heard and positive developments in the shape of rapid falls in unemployment, particularly long-term unemployment.

Senator Daly spoke about the minimum wage. The Tánaiste reminded us that the work of the low pay commission could, in time, form the basis for a living wage for Ireland. In the meantime, it will ensure that the minimum wage is an issue which independent experts, employers and workers' representatives look at together. The commission will adopt an evidence-based approach and will operate on a rolling basis so that its recommendations can be adapted as economic circumstances change. That is hugely important. This commission will ensure that low pay will stay front and centre in the public debate and that there is a greater emphasis on ensuring that the jobs we create are well paid, decent jobs.

I remind colleagues across the floor that this Government restored the level of the minimum wage. It was a Labour Party commitment, one of the first commitments of this Government. The minimum wage had been lowered by the other side.