Mr. Peter McLoone:

Debate on the issue is complicated by the presence of pay problems. However, recognising the committee's terms of reference regarding recruitment and retention in the mental health area, the report contains several important recommendations that it is hoped will be of assistance to the committee in its further report. I cannot overemphasise the importance of developing a workforce plan. I have worked in the health services for approximately 40 years as a practising nurse and a full-time trade union official. The health services have stumbled from year to year for so long that it is time to recognise that new and different measures which focus on are our workforce needs are required. In a global competitive market, we need to engage with that challenge. Such actions must be taken in the coming months or this will end up being another report that is put on a shelf and the discussion and analysis of the problem will continue as they have for years but no steps will be taken to taken to solve it.