Vol. 487 No. 4
93 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason, if any, for the delay in the introduction of the national minimum wage promised in An Action Programme for the Millennium; and when she will bring forward the necessary enabling legislation. [4112/98]
106 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reasons, if any, for the delay in the introduction of the national minimum wage promised in An Action Programme for the Millennium. [2359/98]
I propose to take Question Nos. 93 and 106 together.
The Deputy will be aware that early last July I set up a commission to report to the Government on the best way to implement the commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce a national minimum hourly wage. That commission has been very active. In addition to basic research, it has received a very large body of written evidence and it has conducted oral hearings with the parties principally concerned. The commission provided me with a progress report in December in which it made it clear that it needed more time to complete its final report. The commission will hold consultations with the social partners before the finalisation of its report which it now expects to complete next month. On receipt of the final report I will bring forward proposals to Government.
