Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 18 Members for their contributions to the Order of Business. Senators Horkan, Devine and Warfield raised the issue of the living wage. The concerns raised are important. Sometimes members of the Sinn Féin Party believe they have a capacity for empathy and a capacity for speaking for people. Many of us have articulated viewpoints in favour of improving the living conditions of all people. When Senator Humphreys and I were in the Dáil, the parties of which we are members were in government and increased the minimum wage, restored living conditions, and took people out of the USC net. Senator Conway-Walsh is correct that Fianna Fáil cut the minimum wage; we increased it. We also increased social welfare payments and supports to allow people to become self-sufficient. We value all people. I remind Senator Warfield that reducing taxation is good. It gives people money in their pocket to spend at their discretion. The Senator should reflect on his political ideology in respect of taxation. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the Low Pay Commission recommended increases in the minimum wage and Government has always increased it. I look forward to that debate. Let us have a real debate, not a phoney one.