Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No one in this House or outside it likes to see people in our hospitals involved in industrial action. In making my points, I know that I will receive a historical lecture about why we are where we are. However, we are in a difficult position because commitments have been made by the HSE, Health and Safety Executive, to address the issue. The HSE's service plan 2013 highlighted that it would make efforts to address European working time directive issues. I want to know why we are at the stage that the IMO and non-consultant hospital doctors have no trust or faith in the HSE and its commitment to resolve the issue. It is required only to fulfil employment law and ensure that people work in a safe environment, are allowed periods of rest and work only in a roster in which services can be provided safely. When one looks at the history of the situation and, more important, the past couple of months with the breakdown of trust between the HSE and the IMO, many questions are raised.

The matter has been before the Labour Relations Commission - in fairness, it has huge expertise in bringing about resolutions to industrial disputes and has been doing so for many years - but the fact that it was unable to bring about a resolution raises many questions about why the HSE has not entered into meaningful dialogue in such a way that would allow non-consultant hospitals doctors to believe the HSE's commitment. Given the HSE's role and that the Minister is in charge of and politically responsible for the HSE, does he completely trust the HSE on its commitments to implement the European working time directive for non-consultant hospital doctors?

There are huge strains in the medical service. The non-consultant hospital doctors are an integral part of the medical service - they provide hugely valuable services daily. However, they are working under extreme conditions. We have seen and heard cases - today we saw people outside our hospitals who have worked more than 80 hours a week in providing healthcare. Everyone accepts that is happening. Even the Minister said previously that working arrangements are in breach of European working time directives and are completely unacceptable.

The HSE stated its position on the working time directive in its 2013 service plan, but today there are 3,000 non-consultant hospital doctors who have had to take action to encourage dialogue and a resolution to the situation.

The difficulty is that there are significant swathes of people who depend on the health system and non-consultant hospital doctors to provide the care. A total of 12,000 outpatient and 3,000 elective surgeries have been deferred. This puts significant pressure on individuals. Were 3,000 procedures deferred today because of this action? A total of 12,000 outpatient appointments were deferred as well.

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