Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

They are mostly based in Cork, the south east and Tullamore.

NASRA advised that its members would not provide inter-hospital transport and patient transport in the intermediate care service for the duration of the action. The HSE was advised that full emergency cover would be provided during the action. This meant that all emergency calls would be responded to. In addition, the NAS put robust contingency arrangements in place to provide additional emergency cover. The Defence Forces were also on standby, if required. The intention was to minimise any disruption and to ensure that patient safety was not compromised. The service responded to more than 600 calls by 5 p.m. These included a number of hospital transfers, more than 70 intermediate care calls and two helicopter call-outs. There were 12 calls involving Army personnel. The situation was closely monitored by NAS management until 8 p.m. The service confirmed that there was no negative impact on its ability to provide patient care and service delivery. This was due to the implementation of its contingency plan.

The PNA states that its industrial action is in connection with the following: a dispute over the automated deduction of union subscriptions from member's pay - the HSE is refusing to facilitate payroll deductions at source of union subscriptions to NASRA, as it does not recognise NASRA; and refusal by the HSE to engage in negotiations with the PNA or to recognise the PNA as union representatives when representing its ambulance personnel members.

It is important to again state the factual position on this dispute. NASRA, which is affiliated with the PNA, is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights. The PNA also does not have negotiating rights on behalf of ambulance personnel. The legal position is clear. The HSE and the NAS have no obligation to recognise NASRA or the PNA for ambulance personnel. The PNA, which is a non-Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, affiliated union, has negotiating rights for nurses working in the psychiatry and intellectual disability sectors. The main union recognised by the HSE for ambulance front-line grades is SIPTU. Fórsa and UNITE also represent ambulance grades. The HSE deducts subscriptions at source for ambulance staff who are members of SIPTU, Fórsa and UNITE. This is consistent with the fact that these are the unions recognised as representing ambulance grades. The HSE does not carry out deductions for subscriptions to NASRA, as it is not recognised. Facilitating deductions at source is not a legal right, rather it is a concession granted to recognised unions. As far as the Government is concerned, there are sufficient unions available to ambulance staff and it does not intend to recognise this group. Of course, individuals have a right to membership of any trade union. However, they do not have a right that such membership is facilitated or recognised by their employer.

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