Ms Phil Ní Sheaghdha:

The Chairman is absolutely correct. Placing difficulties in the way of recruitment would be viewed by other countries as nonsensical. They will probably take advantage because if we are hampered in recruiting, it will be to their gain, particularly that of the UK, our close neighbour. Britain is short of nurses and has reduced payments and bursaries for undergraduates, which saw a drop-off in its training places. It has a huge interest in recruitment from the Republic of Ireland.