Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I also wish a happy Christmas to all the workers in the Dáil. The ushers and catering staff are fantastic and supportive workers.

For only the second time in the union's hundred year history the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, has voted to take strike action in the new year. The 95% vote in favour was a hugely resounding result, through which they join teachers and psychiatric nurses. It is an inevitable result of the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation and other legislation that this Government and its predecessors maintained.

The choice before young public sector workers is one of emigrating or staying here to live a life of very little hope because they cannot pay rent on the wages that young teachers and nurses are being asked to accept. I know somebody who is just qualifying as a psychiatric nurse and her job is already booked in Britain. That is the reality. The Taoiseach has asked where the money will come from. Nurses should take note of what happened today with bondholders but also-----

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