Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. I am and I know that the Tánaiste is and always was, as well. The Labour Party was founded in Clonmel and I welcomed him there last year to commemorate the party's 100th anniversary. Given the proud tradition of the Labour Party, however, I am simply appalled that the Tánaiste would treat nurses, our caring profession, like that. I listened to his spiel about jobs, the five-point plan and his promises. Yes, it is vital that we create employment but above all we must also care for our young, elderly and other vulnerable people. We must treat our health care professionals with some modicum of respect and fair play, which they deserve. We are just displacing agency nurses. Fewer than 35 people have applied for the vacancies, so people are voting with their feet. They have no faith if they do not get respect. The Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, is telling them to eat cake or else pack supermarket shelves, but that is not the way to treat them. The Tánaiste knows that, as does the former Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, which is why she is not in the Department of Health any more. This is a con. Somebody called it a scam, but I would call it a sham. I am asking the Tánaiste to revisit it for the sake of all those working in the health care sector, including hospitals. People in the community are under pressure and need honest answers, not spin and massaged figures about job creation, which we are getting in all Departments. Nursing is the most caring profession. It is a vocation and we must respect nurses.

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