Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to advocate on behalf of our health workers. It was interesting that the previous Senator spoke about Limerick. I know from people who are canvassing to be elected mayor of Limerick that one of the biggest issues after housing is health and the hospital. I think the local elections, particularly in Limerick for the mayor, will effectively be a plebiscite on the Government and our health services. The shocking situation in Limerick is an absolute disgrace. It is clear that the public and the electorate are particularly exercised and that is coming out loud and clear on the doorsteps. I think that will be reflected in the elections.

I want to advocate on behalf of the ICTU group of healthcare workers. It is made up of workers from Connect, Fórsa, the INMO, the IMO, the MLSA, SIPTU and Unite. This is an amazing body made up of representatives of our heroic health workers. Its simple ask, made in a formal request to the Government, is for the HSE's pay and numbers strategy to be published. This has been long promised. I ask the Leader to use her good offices and we in the Seanad to use our connections to ask the Government to produce the HSE pay and numbers strategy. Clearly, we need workforce planning and to lift the recruitment embargo, or at least examine it. We can talk about the anomalies and shortcomings in the health service day and night in these Houses, but if we are not prepared to address the recruitment embargo for essential health workers then we are doing nothing. I ask that we have a debate or statements on this issue. I want to be clear that I will continue to advocate on behalf of this group of ICTU members who have done amazing work. At the end of the day, we can no longer tolerate lip service. They need to be recognised and they need to be adequately paid for the amazing services they provide for our health services.