Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I appreciate that, but beidh lá eile. I welcome the delegates and thank them for their attendance. However, as other members have noted, it is a different world from that described by the previous representatives and from what members know they are working in. Anyone who visits hospitals, has relatives or been sick is aware of the real position. I am a small employer - I had ten employees but now have six - and governed by legislation, as is every other employer. Health and safety matters such as hazard analysis and critical control point, HAACP, systems, the working time directive and working hours take precedence in any workplace, but no issue is as serious as health. I have to hand the HSE's report which differs completely from that of the previous delegates. It contains jargon and nice-speak and makes good use of language and fancy acronyms. At one time matrons ran hospitals, but the HSE now employs many people who were not there previously. There are ward managers, bed managers, time managers and every other kind of manager. That is the problem.