Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told the Dáil that it will not be possible to introduce legislation protecting low-paid workers before the summer recess.
Last Thursday, the High Court ruled that the Joint Labour Committee system of setting wages for lower paid workers is unconstitutional.
In response, Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton said the Government would introduce 'interim measures' to protect vulnerable workers.
However this afternoon, Mr Kenny said that it would not be possible to introduce legislation on this complex issue before the Dáil rises for the summer recess next week.
He added that the Attorney General had advised that there are no grounds for an appeal against the High Court decision.
The Government's position on this is likely to lead to serious unrest on the Labour backbenches.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin has promised to bring emergency legislation to the Dáil by the end of the week to provide for the continued effective opertion of Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreements.
The party's Enterprise spokesperson, Peadar Tóibín, said the lowest paid in the workforce could not afford to wait for new legislation ‘while the Taoiseach takes his holidays’.
He said the party had spoken to a number of trade unions, and was confident that the proposed legislation would deal adequately with the concerns raised by last Thursday's judgement.
