A Fine Gael minister has rejected claims from a Labour colleague that the average worker should now receive higher wages.

Labour junior minister Ged Nash says the average worker should be able to expect higher wages as the economy recovers.

Mr Nash told the Irish Independent that raising wages would be a better way to help lower paid workers than cutting taxes.

He told Pat Kenny here on Newstalk earlier that pay claims are 'inevitable' as the economy grows.

But his senior minister, Richard Bruton of Fine Gael, says higher wages could scare off employers and would cost Ireland more jobs.

And Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe says he would prefer to cut taxes instead of raising wages.

Meanwhile Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams says he does not take the calls for pay rises seriously.

Mr Adams says while pay and conditions are not currently good enough, he does not believe the comments by Mr Nash are serious.

He says it is time for Labour to deliver on its promises.