Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In response to the Taoiseach's reply - I will leave the additional information provided by him to Deputy Gilmore - I make no apology for revisiting the issue of the health services. I am not at all surprised that the INMO voted as it did. Is the Taoiseach not aware that the INMO presented alternative proposals in regard to the operation of a recruitment ban across the health services that would result in an adjustment in favour of front line staff, including nurses, midwives and other critical staff?

The difference would be made up from non-essential management and administration staff who are not front line players in the overall HSE configuration. Has the Taoiseach given any consideration to the INMO proposals, which make great sense to the overwhelming number of people, particularly those who are waiting to access services but cannot do so because the system is understaffed and unable to cope with the presenting and potential throughputs? When one deals with each individual case, one finds that the families of individual patients are distressed about this situation, as are the front line service providers. Now that the Croke Park deal has gone across the line, will the Taoiseach not take a fresh look at this matter, in a spirit of magnanimity and in recognition of the great and real distress that exists? Will he respond accordingly - in an appropriate spirit - in the interests of patient safety and care in the first instance?

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