Independents 4 Change TD Joan Collins

This afternoon.

In the Dáil, during Leaders’ Questions which were taken by Tánaiste Simon Coveney.

Independents 4 Change TD Joan Collins was speaking about workers’ rights when she said:

“Recently, I’ve been approached by workers in a new, very swanky and expensive Ivy restaurant where the company are taking the major proportion of tips paid to staff – using these tips to make up the difference in their wages.

“I’ll give you an example. One worker signed a contract, in October, for €14.90 an hour. They’re now being paid €9.80 an hour and the difference is being made up with the tips. So this company is robbing the workers of their money and we don’t know where the rest of the money is going…it seems to be pocketed by the company.”

[The Independent4Change TD’s office confirmed Ms Collins was referring to  the Ivy restaurant in Dawson Street, Dublin 2]

During his response, Mr Coveney said:

“Just on the tips issue, let me just be very clear: Any employer that calculates salary and includes tips in that figure is acting illegally. You can’t do it. Tips are separate to salary. And if there are issues the Government needs to act there: we will look at that closely.”

Watch Dáil proceedings live here