Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2004
112 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has yet received the result of the review of the national minimum wage that the Labour Court was asked to undertake by the social partners under the terms of the Sustaining Progress agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28342/04]
View answerI understand that in accordance with the commitment in the mid-term review of part 2 of Sustaining Progress, the Labour Court has been asked to review the national minimum wage. The review is underway. As yet I have not received a recommendation on the minimum wage on foot of this review. As provided for in the legislation, the Labour Court will consult with such persons it considers appropriate in undertaking its examination of the minimum wage. If the Labour Court is satisfied that general agreement is reached between the parties on an appropriate minimum wage, it will recommend the rate agreed. If, on the other hand, agreement is not reached between the parties, the Labour Court may still make a recommendation. In doing so the court shall have regard to certain matters such as the likely impact on employment and inflation.
