Chambers Ireland has today (02/09/09) called on the Referendum Commission to clarify the validity of Cóir’s contention that the minimum wage will fall to EUR1.84 should the Lisbon Treaty Referendum be passed.

Seán Murphy, Deputy Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland said, “Cóir’s untrue claims are misleading and designed to confuse. As noted by the Minister for Labour Affairs the Lisbon Treaty has nothing to do with the minimum wage. It is set down in the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000 and under this legislation it can only be varied by the Minister on foot of a recommendation by the Labour Court or by employers and trade unions. The EU has no role in determining the National Minimum Wage – in this or in any other country.”

“Given that we have four weeks until the vote, Cóir’s misinformation needs to be clarified urgently for the people of Ireland to make an informed decision. The Lisbon Treaty Referendum is a matter of huge strategic importance for Ireland and we urge the Commission to make a clarification as soon as possible,” Murphy concluded.