Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I repeat my query to Ms McGuinness about July. I heard what Professor McGovern stated. Is there sufficient confidence that there will be a full complement of NCHDs? It would be a temporary solution at any time, but here we are, year on year, looking to it to fill the gap. We will deal with the bigger issue on another day. Today we merely want certainty that there will be sufficient in situ come July.

On the second of the two points, Ms McGuinness made reference to the 24 hour on-site shift. On the top of page 5, her opening statement states that a key issue is the extent - we were echoing what the NCHDs had stated - to which part of the current NCHD workload is more appropriately delivered by other staff.

It then states that the HSE will be requiring hospitals to identify specific non-medical staff. Why is that still being planned rather than already taking place? Surely nursing staff should have already been asked to perform phlebotomy, canalisation, catheterisation and other services. It is something for which the INMO and the NCHDs have argued and I believe they could also take on further responsibilities. What timeframe is envisaged for this consultation, when will it conclude and when will we see action in this regard?

In regard to the indication that the European Court of Justice may rule against Ireland on our failure to adhere to the European working time directive, is this part of the stick that is driving some of what we are seeing in the HSE's statement? How realistic is the fear that such a case may be taken?