Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not mind paying but - I mean this with the best intention - I actually have a fear of paying a tip in a bill using a card and I actually refuse to do so. I know I am old school and old fashioned and I put my hand up but Senator Casey's contribution reinforces that principle in my mind and my continued determination not to do that. There is a myriad of reasons that we will not go into because it could open another Pandora's box. Senator Casey made a fine point and we should reflect upon it. In an ideal world, we would not be here because staff should be in receipt of the tip and service charge as a matter of form, but it is not so.

We heard the history involved tonight. Many people do not understand what the service charge is for and why they pay it, and I am glad that will change now. I know we use the word "transparency" with abandon, but it is important that there is clarity in the Bill.

The Bill brings positive news for hard-working staff in our hospitality sector. To those watching or listening to the debate, I thank the staff who serve and wait tables, pull pints, work in hotels and the service industry, and work antisocial hours to give people a quality of service in our hospitality sector. It is very easy for people to go onto Tripadvisor or social media to criticise establishments and staff. I ask that they pay a ten-second delay before they put their fingers to the buttons. They should remember that staff are working in pressurised environments and sometimes do not get everything right. Nine times out of ten, the quality of the hospitality is phenomenal.

We welcome that the money goes to the staff - that is the principle - but I ask that we reflect upon what Senator Casey said in the debate. The Minister of State again showed the importance of listening and engaging. At a time when the Government gets criticised for many things, the last two Bills today are an example of when the Government has engaged critically and has emerged with legislation that will benefit the worker, which is important.