James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for her reply but pay is not the issue, patient care is. I hope the Minister will be able to use her good offices to engage with the unions and ensure that patient care is not compromised. She should not allow the situation to escalate as is clearly planned in March. I hope she will be able to give us some indication of what her plans are to deal with that. Some plans must be put in place to deal with any escalation, although we have not heard what they are.

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