Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, the strike should end. This is why I say to Deputy Donnelly, as someone who spoke to doctors this morning, that it is critical the Labour Relations Commission is able to engage with the HSE and the non-consultant hospital doctors, NCHDs. That is where it will be addressed and the only people who really suffer as a consequence of it not being addressed there are patients and outpatients waiting for treatment.

I agree that the situation 20 years ago was as the Deputy described. Over the last 14 years there was no real movement on the issue because of a failure to put in place a process to address it. In fairness to the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, who is also dealing with all the other problems and challenges in the health services, he has brought the issue to the point at which significant progress is being made.

Perhaps while Deputy Donnelly is on his way home he might ask the doctors why NCHDs in radiology, pathology, emergency medicine and psychiatry are fully compliant but those working in obstetrics, pediatrics, anaesthesia and surgery are not. Why is it that some specialties are fully compliant in hospitals all over the country whereas others to not appear to be compliant?

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