Dick Spring
Ceist:31 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on the recent proposals by the Conference of Major Religious Superiors in connection with minimum wage legislation.
Written Answers - Minimum Wage Legislation.
The most recent submission from the Justice Commission of the Conference of Major Religious Superiors on aspects of the 1991 budget is entitled "National Recovery for Whom" and is addressed to members of the Oireachtas.
The submission puts forward a number of proposals which seek to have the benefits of economic recovery shared by the more vulnerable groups in society especially the poor and the unemployed. These proposals cover such areas as basic income, tax reform, job creation and social welfare but do not include the question of a minimum wage.
The issues raised covering such a broad range of policies are matters for consideration by the Government and in particular the Ministers for Finance and Social Welfare in the context of the budget. Many of the issues involved also figure in the discussions which are under way at the moment between the Government and the social partners on a new economic and social programme.