Dáil to pass minimum wage cut today

The legislation to slash a euro off the minimum wage, cut the Taoiseach and Ministers' pay and cut public service pensions will be finalised in the Dáil today.

It means only the Finance Bill will be left in the New Year to be dealt with and for the Budget to be passed.

This legislation is the third of four parts needed to pass the budget.

The financial motions were passed on Budget night and last night the cuts to social welfare got the nod.

Under debate today is the minimum wage being cut by a euro to €7.65 an hour, cutting the pay of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers, and taking a chunk off the pensions of retired public sector workers.

This afternoon after a vote, TDs will return to their constituencies and the wrath of voters, but with three of the four pieces of legislation required passed, they won't be able to look for changes.