Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak briefly on the nurses' industrial action. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Health and Children effectively indicated that they were digging in their heels on this issue. However, such a hardline approach will achieve nothing for patients, nurses or industrial relations in general. I request the Government to adopt a more conciliatory approach to this issue.

The nurses have eight demands and movement on some of those demands would break the deadlock. The demands of a 35-hour week and a pay claim to restore parity with other health care professionals are minimalist and I urge the Government to engage with the INO and the PNA to bring about a solution. The consequences for patients in the event of a prolonged dispute would be catastrophic. Negotiations begun but consequently broke down. I urge all parties to re-engage in the interests of everybody involved and everybody who will be affected by a prolonged dispute.

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