Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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First, I thank Ms Laverne McGuinness and the other delegates for their attendance. I apologise for being obliged to leave the meeting for a while.

While I did not hear Ms McGuinness's presentation, it states, "In 2009, agreement was reached on the introduction of new rostering arrangements. Since then, significant progress has been made." However, there still is much to do and Ms McGuinness indicated she would address this point later. I cannot speak for anyone else in the room, but when I attend hospital, either personally or with family members, the first person I always meet is the receptionist, while the second is usually the nurse. The third is usually a young man or girl in his or her early 20s. I sometimes feel very sorry for them because they look as though they have been through the mill from the perspective of their own health, having been up all night or the night before because of work. Earlier members were discussing duty of care in the workplace and its importance for persons being treated and, in particular, the person who is treating my family members or those of Ms McGuinness. Can Ms McGuinness and the HSE stand over the appropriate care being given by young doctors in accident and emergency units? If so, what is the reason for the statements from the previous delegates? While I acknowledge I have only read Ms McGuinness's statement and did not hear her saying it, how can there be such a difference between her statement and those of the previous delegates? I believe everyone has made the same point in this regard. To revert to my first point, with whom was the agreement negotiated? According to the statement, "In 2009, agreement was reached...". With whom was it reached because obviously the preceding delegates do not agree with this line? Can the HSE stand over the appropriate services being provided by young people who are in the line of fire in every accident and emergency unit nationwide?