SELECT COMMITTEE ON ENTERPRISE AND SMALL BUSINESS debate -
Wednesday, 22 Mar 2000

Vol. 3 No. 11

Business of Select Committee.

Chairman

I wish to again extend our deepest sympathy to the Ferris family on the sudden and tragic death of our colleague, Deputy Michael Ferris.

We are resuming consideration of the National Minimum Wage Bill, 2000. I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, and the officials of the industrial relations section of the Department, Mr. Maurice Cashel, Mr. Ciaran Ó Cuinneagáin and Mr. Maurice Nagle. I suggest that, as previously agreed, we work until approximately 6 p.m. when we will suspend for 30 minutes. We will resume at 6.30 p.m. until approximately 8.30 p.m. Is that agreed?

Mr. Rabbitte

We agreed 6.45 p.m.

Chairman

This is why I am allowing flexibility. It is agreed to meet tomorrow, Thursday, 23 March, to consider the Bill if we do not conclude today. That meeting will take place between 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. I propose the select committee resumes on section 19, amendment 40, including related amendments Nos. 40, 41, 41a, 44, 78a, 79, 83, 86, 87, 88, 96, 97 and 98. I wish to draw Members’ attention to the fact that amendments Nos. 80, 82, 89 and 90a, on the latest green list of additional and substitute amendments, dated 21 March, are also related. It is, therefore, proposed that they be included in the group of amendments currently under discussion. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Rabbitte

Can I clarify is the Tánaiste or Government available, if necessary, tomorrow to debate the Bill between 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.?

Chairman

I understand that is the position.

Mrs. Owen

Does the Tánaiste know who is handling questions during Question Time tomorrow at 3.45 p.m.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

It looks like I will be. Perhaps we can discuss that later.

Mrs. Owen

As I will be travelling to the funeral, Deputies Stanton and Perry will deal with Question Time.

Ms Harney

The problem is that Priority Questions are in both Deputy Owen's and Rabbitte's names.

Mrs. Owen

Deputy Rabbitte will be present, therefore my questions will fall and will be submitted for written answer.

Ms Harney

The Deputy could probably change the name of the office, put Deputy Stanton's name on them and indicate that today. It is futile answering a question when no one can ask a supplementary on it.

Mrs. Owen

To facilitate Members tabling questions and also the Minister, I think we should amend the time from 1.30 p.m. to 3.15 p.m.

Chairman

I do not have a problem with that.

Mr. Rabbitte

Would the clerk mind officially communicating with the Tánaiste's office to transfer Priority Questions in the names of Deputy Owen and Deputy Upton to Deputy Stanton and Deputy Rabbitte, respectively?

Chairman

I will ask the Clerk to do so and report back to us while this meeting is taking place.