Gormley: Europe sought minimum wage cut

THE plan to cut the minimum wage by €1 was demanded by the European Commission and the Government could not say no, Environment Minister John Gormley has admitted.

The Green Party leader’s revelation comes ahead of the end of EU/IMF bailout talks, possibly by Sunday. It also suggests the Government did not have complete control of the measures in the four-year plan.

Mr Gormley revealed the involvement of Europe while he was attacking opposition parties for saying they would reverse the cut.