Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. I thank Mr. Bell for his comprehensive submission. Before I bring in members of the committee, I wish to ask a few questions. I ask Mr. Bell to give us some insight. We know that workforce planning is tricky in the short term. It is probably even tricker in the long term. I will mention two issues to illustrate that. In the long term, we have Sláintecare, and in the short term we have the winter initiative, winter plan or whatever word they are using to describe it this year. I ask Mr. Bell to give a brief indication of the involvement of the union in both cases. I do not need to remind him of the number of workers represented here this morning. Will Mr. Bell provide an indication of the level of involvement, consultation and engagement that SIPTU has had with regard to winter planning in the short term, and in the longer term with regard to Sláintecare?