Mr. Damian Ginley:

On low morale and UHL, as Ms Ní Sheaghdha said, it is spreading across the country. Within the region, we are seeing its impact in Croom and Ennis with the challenges the staff are facing arising from the significant challenges in UHL. There are vacancies in the region of approximately 70 support staff grades. I understand there is a similar figure, if not a higher one, for healthcare assistants. That is all adding to and creating the challenge our members face every day.

On the reform policy and threats related to non-adherence to it, our movement is made up of respect, people being consulted, engagement in advance of any change and respecting workers to be part of that change. We have called on the HSE, with the roll-out of the new structures, to make sure it adheres to the agreed information and consultation processes and the collective agreements in place which provide for opportunities to evolve and change in a manner that is consistent with a transparent process that involves workers' input, consultation, engagement and, where issues arise, mechanisms to address them through the State machinery we are all well used to. It is important, while there is pressure on the health service, that we do not lose sight of the agreements that are in place and of their importance in ensuring we move forward in a collective manner.