Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is laying all of his emphasis on the new Croke Park agreement by agreement, but he is ignoring entirely the matter that I raised. The HSE and the Government acted unilaterally to deliver a pay cut to nurses and midwives. In Leinster House and elsewhere, the unions have stated that this matter is on the table in the negotiations. If it is not resolved and if the unilateral action is not rolled back, reaching any agreement will be difficult.

I do not know how involved the Minister of State is in the detail of the talks, but I imagine he would know. At least, I hope he would. Will he confirm for the House whether the Government understands the importance of this issue? People in the public sector and beyond see that unilateral action has been taken against graduate nurses and midwives. If it is against them today, who might it be against tomorrow?

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