Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome to the Gallery the Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Councillor Marie Murphy.

I thank the Tánaiste for bringing the Bill before the House. At the end of his contribution, he said some people will think we have not gone far enough and other will say we have gone too far. What everyone agrees on is that this Bill is needed. As a committee, we had countless discussions while working through the Bill and each member had different proposals and ideas. It is good that we are now at this stage.

I note in the Minister's contribution he referred to concerns for businesses. A lot of work has been done in his Department over the past number of years in terms of workers' rights and important things have been brought through which he has outlined, including remote working, workplace tips and the national public holiday. These all benefit employees.However, the provisions also benefit employers and give certainty. I acknowledge that a report by the Local Jobs Alliance has been produced on sick pay because it has concerns about costs to small businesses but we can assure the alliance that there is to be a phase-in period of four years. This is to support small businesses and recognise that the change is trickier for them than for big businesses.

People will welcome this measure. It gives those on a lower income more reassurance. We all know people who go to work when sick when they should not. They might go to work on the Tuesday and Wednesday but not on the Friday. However, for financial reasons they have to go to work. This measure gives them the certainty that they do not have to do so if they cannot. It is good for businesses as well.

From the Minister's contribution, I noted what was he is doing in his Department. Importantly, he spoke about the living wage and the four-year period in which to abolish the minimum wage in favour of a living wage by 2026. The relevant legislation will be really important. The minimum wage is €10.50. If we were to introduce the living wage, it would be €12.17. We are not a million miles away from it at the moment, so it is realistic that it can be introduced at the level in question. Obviously, in 2026 the living wage will be at a different level based on the average income. It is another important element. The Bill will be broadly welcomed on our side. Some of the concerns that others have raised at meetings of the committee and that will probably be raised today are genuine but we all agree it is important to introduce the legislation.

The wording of a point the Tánaiste made is important. He said he acknowledged that many businesses are facing additional costs because of Putin's invasion of Ukraine. We often say the rise in business costs is because of the war in Ukraine. It is not; it is because of someone else's war that is happening in Ukraine. That is really important to point out. We had a delegation here yesterday that recognised that businesses and employers are suffering because of costs. The report out today focuses on the fact that employers' costs have risen dramatically over recent years. Putin's war has an impact, but it is important that we phrase things correctly when speaking about it. I recognise that employers are worried about costs. It is because of this worry that the new measure is to be phased in over four years. I welcome the Bill and thank the Tánaiste.