When the provision of this money is eventually announced, the Government should not give it to companies also that are viable. There was an issue during the pandemic when companies were on the one hand in receipt of State aid and on the other hand paying massive dividends to their shareholders, and that is not acceptable. The Tánaiste referred to the need for businesses to reduce their energy costs. I am aware of a hotel which used to have a monthly energy bill of €21,000. That has now risen to €71,000. You can bet…

That is very welcome. The Tánaiste is right; they have to be helped now. The longer-term solutions can wait. What businesses want to hear and what I want to hear from the Tánaiste is what that will look like because there is so much uncertainty. There are things far beyond the control of any person in the Chamber and we fully accept and appreciate that. Notwithstanding that, as much certainty as can be given should be given. We hope when the schemes are announced they will be simple and easy to access. I am sure th…

The Tánaiste referenced in his remarks the public sector pay deal and the increase in the minimum wage. There is a cohort of workers not covered by either of these who are being creased by inflation. They desperately need a pay rise. The Minister and I both know, whether we say it publicly or not, that the best way for a worker to achieve a pay rise is not to wait around for the Government to grant it but to join a trade union, get active in that trade union and bargain at local level. In this regard I ask the Tána…

We do not mind.

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute regarding the summer economic statement. This discussion is of significant importance each year but in the current climate of high inflation and the largest erosion of living standards since the financial crash, it is of even more importance. As we discuss the current economic situation and the upcoming budget it is imperative that we focus on the cost-of-living crisis, the effects on ordinary workers and families and the costs to small and medium-sized businesses, wh…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following: “(c) is paid with the intention that it is a gift from a customer to a server(s) intended for the benefit of the server and other employees;”. I apologise, because I do not have numbered amendments. I sincerely hope I am talking to the right one. This is the amendment that relates to the gift. The purpose of this is to ensure that service charges are paid as a gift to workers. It is not for employers to add on additional charges. I…

Whether it is a big booking or a small booking, the people coming in are all paying for their service and the food. If one has a restaurant that has 30 seats, it is the same if those 30 seats are full by way of a group booking or 15 individuals picking up the phone and booking a table for two. The restaurant is getting the money, in any event. I do not accept that they have to put on more staff. If there are more people and more bookings, there is more staff. It does not matter whether these bookings are made up of…

I move amendment No. 2: In page 4, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “(c) made with the intention that it is a gift from a customer to a server(s) intended for the benefit of the server and other employees;”,”.

I share the concerns of Deputies Paul Murphy and Catherine Murphy. I also have a further concern. The mechanism for redress is through the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, but that would not apply in the case of cash tips. I am sure we all do the same thing in restaurants. If we are tipping, we ask the people serving us if they get to keep the tip if it is in cash. They will say "Yes" or "No". In some instances, the server will say the tips go into a glass behind the counter and are distributed. The intention b…

Perhaps the Tánaiste could explain the situation. The intention behind the Bill is to ensure people do not have their tips robbed from them. I get that. It is why we are all here. We accept it is a problem that needs to be dealt with. Not every case that comes before the WRC has a paper trail or includes absolute proof. Sometimes a union official will only have the evidence that his or her own members can bring and that is enough. One might not be able to put a hand on a receipt or some kind of electronic trail but…

I move amendment No. 5: In page 6, line 18, after “by” where it secondly occurs to insert “means of monetary payment and/or”.

We need say this out loud. We are dealing with vulnerable workers, very often migrants and part-time workers, as the Tánaiste said, and people who do not have much power at the level of the workplace. Of course, the only way to increase that power is to join a union, get active in it and not wait around for legislation. The purposes of these amendments is to balance it in favour of the employees. I accept what the Tánaiste said in relation to data control or a data processor. However, there needs to be some level o…

I move amendment No. 8: In page 6, line 21, after “by” where it secondly occurs to insert “means of monetary payment and/or”.

I move amendment No. 9: In page 6, line 23, after “by” to insert “means of monetary payment and/or”.

I move amendment No. 14: In page 7, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following: “(h) a general principal that tips, gratuities, and service charges are especially valuable for low-paid workers.”.

I move amendment No. 15: In page 7, line 17, after “relates” to insert the following: “, including the share of tips, gratuities, and mandatory service chargers distributed by the employer to themselves”.

I move amendment No. 16: In page 7, line 31, to delete “consult” and substitute “reach agreement”.

We need to be clear that what we are talking about is money being robbed from people. The sanction on the employer should be stronger. I appreciate there is an opportunity to revisit it. I am not saying that it would be worth an employer's while to break the law in this regard. I do not think people necessarily set out to do that. However, in the past decade the WRC has recovered €18 million in what it referred to as "unpaid wages" but all present know it is money that was robbed from workers. We know there are iss…

I move amendment No. 18: In page 7, line 34, to delete “class C” and substitute “class A”.

I move amendment No. 21: In page 8, to delete lines 3 to 5.