David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The people in the hospitality industry work unsocial hours, until 11 p.m., midnight, etc., and they should get their just reward for this.

I would also say, and perhaps I suggested this earlier, it is the intention of the person giving the tip that it goes to the employee to say, "Thank you for your service and thank you for your behaviour." It is appalling that restaurants, on top of the service charge, grab the tip. Let the record show the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, is nodding sagely and she obviously agrees with us. I am sure the Government will not vote against this Bill.

I know why the Government might be a little opposed to it, and that is because it yanked up the VAT on the restaurants. They want to compensate for yanking up the tax at the expense of low-paid workers. That is stingy and miserable.