Leo Varadkar was reacting to rumours that the Low Pay Commission may suggest raising the minimum wage by more than 12%. If the proposal is approved, the hourly wage will increase to €12.70 from €11.30.

Although they haven't yet received the suggestion, Mr. Varadkar said in a speech in Brussels that it would be unprecedented for the Government to reject a commission recommendation.

“We don't have a recommendation from the Low Pay Commission yet, but for as long as I can remember we have always accepted the recommendation of the Low Pay Commission, so when that comes to Government, we will consider it.”

“Back when I was Minister for Enterprise and Trade and Employment last year, I set us on the trajectory towards a living wage in Ireland, and that's pitched at 60 percent of median earnings.”

“What we asked is the Low Pay Commission is to put us on the trajectory to do that. So, they recommended an increase last year of 7.5 percent. That was significantly ahead of inflation, I think that's important.”