On her recent appointment as Tánaiste, Deputy Burton said her top priority was low pay in the private sector. I notice that the legislation to establish a low pay commission is on the C list. Its publication is expected at some unspecified time next year. There is no indication of how long the commission will sit or how long its recommendations will take to implement, if indeed the Government accepts them. Does that not betray a lack of sincerity on the question of low pay? If the Tánaiste were sincere about dealing with this matter, would the Government not be getting on with it now?

The Tánaiste is sincere and very genuine about this. Deputy O'Dea is aware that recommendations were made in the past for wage and pay increases in a very unstructured way. The low pay commission will have to go through a process of consultation to set up a framework for a much more scientific and modern way to deal with this. It will not just be a figure plucked out of the air. There will be a basis and a structure to it. That it is not on the A list does not mean no work is going on. I will advise Deputy O'Dea as to the preparatory works that are under way. The A list is legislation that must be processed during this particular session. The answer to the Deputy's question is that the Tánaiste is of course sincere, but the matter requires proper preparation and extensive consultation to get right.