Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

While there have been all these meetings, we are now entering into an election. The transposition will be concluded by November. I am concerned that we would have a minimalist approach to the transposition. I hope the Minister of State can reassure me. She mentioned the action plan. What steps will be taken to ensure that legislative measures are considered within the action plan in respect of Article 4? On Article 5, the Minister of State mentioned being largely in compliance. That is my point. It is largely but not fully in compliance because the Low Pay Commission's mandate lacks reference to adequacy as one of the factors it must consider and on which it must report.

The Minister of State mentioned minor amendments to the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. Will these amendments include explicit reference to the application of criteria in respect of adequacy such that adequacy will be one of the tests? Will there be reporting in respect of the adequacy of the minimum wage?

At EU level, it is the adequate minimum wage directive, not the minimum wage directive. This means adequacy has to be centre stage. That means considering whether these are wages one can live on, not if they are wages that suit competitiveness. It is not a simple back and forth between stakeholders but the principle of wages on which people can live and that are adequate for a decent standard of living for individuals and families. I ask the Minister of State to indicate explicit legislative steps and the steps needed to allow for legislative change under the action plan.