Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government refers to improving health. In that context, it is vital that the health service is able to retain nurses. The Taoiseach has suggested that the nurses' action is very unfair on patients but he must know that patients will blame him, not nurses, for what will happen tomorrow. The idea that appointments were never cancelled before, until nurses went on strike, does not wash with the general public. I want the Taoiseach to answer for his accusation that their action is unfair on other workers. In reality, the rising of one set of workers benefits all workers. It is time for a living wage and a pay increase for all workers after ten years of austerity and pay cuts. As for the accusation that the nurses' pay claim is unaffordable, the top five wealthiest people in this country have €35 billion. The Government could introduce a millionaire's tax on anything over €1 million.

It could also introduce a corporation tax in line with that of other countries or a financial transactions tax. The idea that we have a little pie to choose from will not wash. The Government is heading for a confrontation it cannot win.

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