Mr. Justin McCamphill:

I thank Ms Hanna again. Mr. Reidy outlined earlier the differentials that exist in pay between North and South. There is a 30% gap across the public sector. In health, in particular, we are seeing hospitals like Daisy Hill Hospital losing senior doctors and consultants who have moved to the Republic for higher pay levels. It is not just about pay but is also about working conditions within hospitals in the North, which are deteriorating to such an extent that those who can and do live in Border areas are leaving. While it is good in ways that we have North-South movement, I believe the real challenge is how we fix the public services in the North.

Currently, the DUP is still refusing to return to government, but from our perspective, we would ask that even if it did, how do we fix Northern Ireland as it is? Without a proper funding model from the UK and an examination of the Barnett consequentials, Northern Ireland is not going to have a sustained recovery post Brexit. It all comes back to Brexit, unfortunately, and the damage that has been done. It is important, therefore, that the Irish Government continues to work to try to build those relationships. I accept this is something the Irish Government did not ask for but it is important the Government continues to work to re-establish those relationships.

On engagements with civil servants, ICTU meets with senior civil servants in Northern Ireland. Again, they are exasperated with the political situation they are in where they have to provide leadership where there is no political leadership there for them. They are working under a position where the Secretary of State is now likely to impose cost-saving measures and revenue-raising measures on Northern Ireland which people cannot afford.