Taoiseach wants to examine the prospect of a living wage during the life of government

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said that the Covid-19 pandemic has “exposed the duality of the Irish economy” and said the government would start looking for a living wage.

Martin promised that his administration would examine “the whole area of ​​a living wage” and said it would become “a government issue.”

He said he would examine the working conditions of low-paid workers and ensure their income security in the future, adding that the current public sector wage deal leans toward lower-paid workers in the public service.

However, Martin maintained that Ireland is still better than other countries “in terms of income equality”.

“There was a recent study that showed that even because, starting in 2000, there was a dramatic impact on reducing income inequality in Ireland, which was contrary to what was happening in other parts of the world, but we have to keep it up. ” Martin said.

Carbon tax

On climate change issues, Martin questioned climate activists who do not support the introduction of the carbon tax.

“We made the decision against supporting the carbon tax, it is not popular with everyone, we have been consistent in complying with it in government.

“I would say to those who oppose it, you just can’t take climate change seriously if you are not prepared to do the hard work associated with it.”

According to Martin, having the funds raised through the carbon tax, the government can take on projects such as modernization.

In the 2021 Budget, the Government increased the carbon tax by € 7.50, from € 26 per tonne to € 33.50 per tonne. Currently, this only applies to automotive fuels, but will apply to solid fuels from May 2021.