Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. Before I begin, I wish to offer my condolences and those of the Government to the family and friends of the people who lost their lives on the roads in the week gone by, particularly the four young men in Donegal who lost their lives on Sunday last. I know that Míchael, Sean, Daniel and John were very much loved in their communities. Their deaths will be mourned across the entire country. Although their laughter may have been silenced, we remember their lives and the promise that has been cut short. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the Roarty, Harkin, Scott and Harley families at this time.

In answer to the questions the Deputy raised, the Cabinet discussed the pending nursing strike at its meeting this morning. We are very aware that the INMO, the largest union representing nurses and midwives, intends to engage in a 24-hour strike tomorrow. I certainly have no doubt about the depth of feeling on the part of nurses and midwives regarding their pay and their conditions. That was reflected in an overwhelming ballot in favour of strike action. I also have no doubt about the considerable public support that nurses and midwives will have should they choose to engage in strike action. Efforts are ongoing at the Labour Court to see if we can have a full hearing there, with a view to a recommendation thereafter. Obviously, if a recommendation is made, the Government will have to consider it. It would be very rare for the Government to reject a recommendation of the Labour Court, but we would certainly have to consider it if such a recommendation arises or if we reach that point.

Regrettably, I should say that in terms of patients and their care, the damage is already done. More than 1,000 operations and thousands of outpatient appointments have been cancelled. Even if the strike is called off at the last minute, it will not be possible to reschedule those appointments for tomorrow. Unfortunately, in the context of patient care, the harm has already been done.

We want to avert the strike if possible; we want to find a solution. That solution has to be affordable for taxpayers. It has to be fair to all public servants and it has to be fair to patients. When I say fair to taxpayers, what do I mean? A solution must be affordable for taxpayers. We ran a small budget surplus last year and we hope to run one again this year, although that may not be the case if we end up with a hard Brexit and no deal. It would not be fair to taxpayers to borrow money to fund pay increases. There are good reasons a country might borrow money, but borrowing money to fund pay increases is not good policy and only leads to pay cuts down the line. I do not want to subject anyone to that ever again. It needs to be fair to all public servants, other people working in the health service and individuals working in other parts of the public service. If we do a special deal for one group, it will not be possible to do the same deal for everyone. That just would not be affordable. We need to look at the wider picture and be fair to all public servants as well. We also need to be fair to patients. No matter how wealthy the country is, the health budget is limited. I would not like to see money being diverted away from new medicines, equipment or treatments to fund pay increases. We have to bear all those things in mind.

It has to be affordable for taxpayers, it has to fair to all public servants, including other people working in the health service, and it has to be fair to patients. If the Deputy can find a solution in that space, the Government will be happy to be part of it.

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