Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My question follows on from a question asked by an Teachta Adams. Can the Taoiseach give a date to the nurses with regard to the implementation of the agreement that they have with the Department of Health? I wish to make the Taoiseach aware in case he is not - perhaps he is, which maybe makes it worse - that an agreement was reached between the three recognised nursing trade unions and the Department of Health.

The unions reached this agreement in good faith. What more are workers in the health service and public service supposed to do? Having gone to the negotiating table and reached an agreement, they are being told the current inequality must continue because a memorandum must be sent by the Department of Health to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. What message are we sending to nurses who, in case the Taoiseach has not noticed, have been emigrating in droves because they do not feel respected? This decision sends them a message that the House does not respect them. I and my party do not want to be associated with such a message and I do not believe the Taoiseach wants to be associated with it. Will he give these bright young men and women a date by which the agreement will be implemented?

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