David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his constructive engagement as we pass the Bill through the House. I do not wish to be negative but I must place the following on the record. I welcome the passage of the Bill and the setting up of the Low Pay Commission. However, I still do not think the commission has the powers and teeth that it deserves and needs to deal comprehensively with low pay in its totality. I am sure that the Minister of State has seen the TASC report that has been published today which again shows there is deepening inequality in Irish society, including income inequality. I do not think inequality will be addressed at all by the Low Pay Commission. I still believe the commission will focus far too much on the minimum wage, as important as it is, and not on the totality of issues which affect all low paid workers. I am afraid that we will be back, at some stage, with an amendment Bill, whether it is Sinn Féin in government at some stage or some other Government, that will strengthen the Low Pay Commission to make it one that deals with low pay in its totality, and not just with the narrow issue of the minimum wage.