Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is okay. To be fair, I pre-empted the answer Ms Dunne was going to give, and I agree, but it is not just restricted to seasonal work permits. Many other workforce sectors face the exact same challenges. The hospitality sector is finding it next to impossible to get cleaning and housekeeping staff and in restaurants, it is front of house and waiting staff. These are all necessary jobs to ensure our hospitality sector continues to grow and develop but, while I am open to correction, I understand those concerned are prevented from being able to recruit people to such positions because of the minimum wage threshold being implemented.

I am thinking of care assistants in the health sector. There are many private and indeed public nursing homes that are having to employ nurses in the role of care assistant because care assistants do not meet the threshold in terms of qualification and remuneration. If it is okay for one sector, why are we bringing in restrictions for other sectors where there is a clear, demonstrable need for people from outside the EU and Ireland?