Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ms Ní Sheaghdha and Mr. Bell have both made the point consistently on annual leave. In previous committee hearings, we have talked about employers in some cases forcing employees to take annual leave during the periods they are not working. Essentially, what we have heard today is that our public service is doing the exact same thing. Everywhere I go, I see the flags saluting our healthcare workers. We will hear the plaudits from Ministers in here tomorrow. What we found out today, however, is that while our healthcare workers are being applauded, their representatives are also being forced to take a case on annual leave to the Workplace Relations Commission. By any definition, it is not annual leave when somebody must take it to mind their kids during a pandemic. Do Mr. Bell or Ms Ní Sheaghdha believe the Department will renege and accede to the simple request that the annual leave in question be restored for that period?