Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I sincerely thank all of the witnesses before the committee for coming in. I also thank our front-line workers and those working at the coalface. What we are hearing is shocking. It is upsetting. What I am hearing is that front-line workers in healthcare and other healthcare workers are traumatised, burnt out, exhausted and at the end of their tether. I cannot imagine how they keep going and putting one foot in front of the other. I recall being with a family member in the emergency department and going up to a young nurse. It was about 2 a.m. I remember her looking at me and it was almost like she was traumatised; she could not hear me. The place was like a war zone. I was just asking her if I could get painkillers for the person I was in with. She genuinely could not hear me. She looked like she was completely shook. Her expression stuck with me. I wanted to put my arms around her and give her a big hug.

I apologise for having been late this morning. I was trying to listen online but I did not get to hear everything, so if I repeat some of the questions, please forgive me.

Fórsa's opening statement referred to a number of issues that Fórsa has tabled but that the Department of Health has ignored and drawn out. What mechanism, if implemented, would facilitate better working relations between trade unions and the Department, in the view of the representatives from Fórsa? What would their recommendations be? Could they say a little about that?