Sinn Féin TDs Maurice Quinlivan and John Brady today welcomed the Dáil’s affirmative vote on a Sinn Féin motion calling for the introduction of a Living Wage of €12.30 per hour for workers next year.

Speaking this afternoon, Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Workers’ Rights and Pay Equality Maurice Quinlivan TD said;

“I am delighted our motion on the Living Wage passed in the Dáil this afternoon.

“This motion condemned the government’s recent decision not to increase the minimum wage and called for the government to introduce a Living Wage of €12.30 per hour next year.

“Sinn Féin highlighted how punitive and unfair Fine Gael’s recent minimum wage decision was, and I am glad a majority of the Dáil has agreed with us on that.

“We need a Living Wage of €12.30 per hour to ensure workers are not living in poverty, and the government must now make this a reality.

“Sinn Féin have a published plan outlining how we would introduce a Living Wage, whilst also protecting financially vulnerable businesses. Sinn Féin is the party of the Living Wage and in government we will deliver on this.

“After today’s vote I am looking forward to seeing other parties bringing forward their proposals on a Living Wage to implement this decision of the Dáil.”

Sinn Féin’s Employment Affairs spokesperson John Brady TD said;

“The government must now follow through with action and implement the aims of this motion; to immediately reverse their decision not in to increase the national minimum wage; and to introduce a Living Wage of €12.30 per hour in 2020.

“Workers have waited long enough for proper pay and conditions.

“Fine Gael’s decision not to increase the minimum wage in the recent Budget was completely wrong, and to blame their decision on Brexit fooled absolutely no one.

“Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil spoke against our motion on Tuesday night, highlighting their out of touch approach on this issue.

“We hope this signals a policy shift in Fianna Fáil’s Living Wage position, which up until now has changed from person to person depending on who you asked.

“Sinn Féin will continue to stand up for low paid workers, and in government we will deliver a Living Wage.”