Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I also want to raise a heath issue. In response to a Commencement matter I tabled this morning, I received confirmation from the Minister of State at the Department of Health that the Government is in breach of an agreement. Payments are due to 7,000 health workers but the Government will not even tell them when the money will be paid. These are support workers, healthcare assistants, porters, theatre assistants, etc. They have gone through the industrial relations process but they have not gone out on strike. The Department refused to meet their union, SIPTU, and the Government has no comment to make on when those moneys will be paid, even though they are due under the agreement. Is it any wonder that the nurses - quite rightly - have taken the decision to strike. I have no doubt SIPTU will take a similar decision because we cannot trust this Government. Even when people go through the process and it is acknowledged money is due to them the Government will not pay them what they are owed.

I call for a debate on this issue but it time for the confidence and supply party to make up its mind. It is no good coming in here to tell us what the Minister has done wrong when Senator Murnane O'Connor continues to support him and when her party endorsed this Government and extended the confidence and supply agreement.