During a discussion in the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs on the Working Time Directive, I said: I am happy to have this useful discussion because I am a committed European. I believe we have derived great benefits from Europe but some issues are better dealt with through subsidiarity, which provides that we can make decisions closer to home...

There are areas, therefore, that should be not centralised at European level. It is interesting that Mr. McGinty referred to stringent implementation because that is down to the way we have implemented this directive, not the EU.

Senator Carty touched on the opening hours of shops. These have not been centralised. Each country, city and region can make its own decision regarding opening hours. That is right and I also believe the same should apply to a large chunk of the directive.

The creation of jobs in Europe is one of the major challenges facing us and every time we put new restrictions on working hours, we deprive somebody of a job. Jobs do not exist that would otherwise exist in certain cases. In general, those who represent workers will say their job is protect the workers but they are also there to protect those who are not yet working and who do not have jobs. Trade in Europe sometimes has to take second place to industry, yet in 6 million outlets in Europe, 31 million people are employed. There is huge potential to increase employment in these outlets but each time restrictions are put in place – and very often we do this at national level – some jobs cannot exist at certain wages.

Deputy O’Rourke referred to the difficulty of Sunday trading, particularly in restaurants, and some large restaurants and chains have had to close down because of restrictions. However, they did not emanate from Europe. There may have been a directive from Europe but we put many of the restrictions into operation ourselves. It is important to recognise that every time we introduce restrictions coming from Europe and impose a stringent implementation, we probably deprive a section of people who might otherwise get jobs.

I can understand the benefit and why we are proud of having a high minimum wage but some jobs do not exist at that wage which would exist otherwise. Mr. Kelly mentioned that agreement has not been reached in Europe on this and there have been difficult discussions in recent times in the European Parliament and at the European Council.

I urge us in thinking this through to make sure the objective takes into account the creation of jobs. Jobs will exist under certain conditions at certain wages which do not exist under other conditions and wages. We must attempt to keep that balance when we take these into account.

To read the full discussion on the Working Time Directive, please click here.