I wish to return to the report of the Low Pay Commission that recommended the abolition of all sub-minimum wage rates for all employees. I think we all agree that there is age discrimination in pay in this country. People who are 16 get 30% less in pay than those who are 18 and doing the same job, which is bizarre. This time last year, People Before Profit brought forward a Bill to address all these anomalies in pay. As the famous chef used to say, here is one I prepared earlier. Our proposed legislation could be enacted with the goodwill of the Government. We would hope it would consider our Bill in terms of the overall restructuring of low pay in this country.

I thank the Deputy for preparing one earlier. I also thank him for raising this issue, as I know he does regularly. The position of the Government now is to consider the Low Pay Commission's report, which I think was published yesterday. The Minister, Deputy Burke, and the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, will give it consideration and carry out an economic assessment. The report will be considered in the context of a range of issues in advance of the budget. We expect to be in a position to deliver the Government's response in advance of budget day.