Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. He speaks of the Government's understanding and respect for nurses, yet the front of today's Irish Examinerreports there are plans under way by the Government to dock nurses' pay increases and pension increases for striking. Can the Tánaiste confirm this is being discussed by the Government? What kind of message does the publishing of that story send out in terms of the Government wanting to engage with respect and to engage with their issues? What kind of message does it send when the Government allows that story to be printed during an industrial dispute? It does not send a message of respect or regard, or of openness, or of trying to deal with the issues.

What we do not need is tea and sympathy: what we need is respect. The Tánaiste speaks of his respect and we all have that, yet the Government allows this to be published and it will allow another picket to proceed on Tuesday and overtime bans to proceed in the psychiatric services today. The Government needs to outline a plan between now and next Tuesday to engage, not to give tea and sympathy.

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