Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

I acknowledge that where issues arose that may have directly affected patient care, responsible action was taken by unions at local level. For example, there was an issue concerning radiotherapy in Cork and I acknowledge that was resolved without patients being affected. I salute that. Clearly, however, everyone who works in the health service has an impact on patient services, including clerical staff who make appointments, process applications and respond to queries. I would like to think that the current difficulties in the industrial relations environment could come to an end quickly. They are not exclusive to the health area, they are across the public service. I understand how public servants feel about the reduction in their income because of the financial situation we find ourselves in.

Before the budget we had exciting discussions with the health unions concerning reforms in the health area, including longer working days, redeployment and flexibility. They were all the things we need to provide a better service to patients within the resources we can make available. As we move the more acute services from one hospital to another, we must be able to redeploy staff, otherwise it will not work as effectively as we anticipate. I cannot tell the Deputy when the current difficulties will pass but it is the Government's wish, as the Taoiseach said earlier this week, to engage with the public sector unions as quickly as possible on the reform agenda so that no further reductions in pay might be necessary in 2011 and 2012.

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