Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend my colleague, Senator Gavan, on all the work he has done on the matter, as well as Senator Nash. I also commend those in the Gallery and others, some of whom I know from Galway and elsewhere. The Bill has been a collective effort and its passage seems to be a no-brainer.

I was surprised because I have worked in the hospitality sector. I worked for employers with the utmost integrity and it had never occurred to me that employers took tips from employees. When I was an employer in the hospitality sector, I would not have dreamed of pocketing the staff's tips. It must be stopped. It would be a positive step for us to take as a State, not least for tourism promotion and so on, if we could say we have a law that ensures that when a tip is given, one can be assured it will be given to the people serving and preparing the food, or whoever else it might be. We should embrace the Bill. I cannot understand why the Government fails to support it.

Senator Black spoke about low-paid workers within the hospitality sector. An average hotel room in Dublin tonight costs €405 for one night. People are making a great deal of money on the backs of low-paid workers. When I visit a restaurant, I want to know that the tip I give will be given to staff members. People should make their choices based on whether tips are given to staff. It is certainly how I will choose which restaurants I visit.