James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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144. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the fact that the HSE will not recognise an organisation (details supplied) or engage in negotiations with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49903/18]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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158. To ask the Minister for Health if he has communicated with the HSE in relation to a union recognition dispute with ambulance personnel; his plans to intervene in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49937/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 158 together.

The union which is recognised by the HSE as representing ambulance grades is SIPTU. The Psychiatric Nurses' Association (PNA), which is a non ICTU affiliated union, have negotiating rights for nurses working in psychiatry and intellectual disability sectors. The National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA), which is affiliated with the PNA is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights for HSE ambulance staff. The HSE can only engage with recognised unions with negotiation rights. This approach is in keeping with Government policy. Indeed, the principle of engaging only with recognised trade unions has been acknowledged previously by the Labour Court in a dispute involving the PNA but with a different public sector employer.

Whilst individuals have a right to membership of any trade union, HSE ambulance staff who choose to join an association which is not recognised by their employer should be aware that such membership is not facilitated by their employer. In light of all of the above, I can confirm that I have not communicated with the HSE in relation to this dispute as I do not believe it would be appropriate to intervene.