The Taoiseach may be aware that the Labour Party is running a campaign demanding a pay rise for Irish workers. The Taoiseach announced that the VAT cut of 9% will remain for the hospitality sector until February 2023. The number of workers in that sector on the minimum wage is three times the national average so it is a low-pay sector. As we constantly remind the Taoiseach, 23% of Irish workers are on low pay. We are the third highest in the OECD when it comes to the proportion of low-paid workers. The Taoiseach should engage with employers and tell them that the payback for continuing with the 9% VAT rate is their engagement with the joint labour committees to ensure their workers are properly paid. We cannot stand over a situation where the Government is gifting employers a 9% VAT rate but they still stand over a system of poverty pay.

Generally, the intention of the extension of the 9% VAT rate until February 2023 is a good thing for workers and employers in the hospitality sector because this sector took a significant hit during Covid-19 over two successive years. In respect of joint labour committees and proper pay, I accept fully the Deputy's point about ensuring good-quality pay in that sector as well. This will be necessary because of labour shortages in that sector. More important, providing good-quality pay and conditions to people in the sector is a basic way to proceed and operate. We want to create opportunities for people with a genuine career interest in the hospitality sector.