Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If the Deputy respects nurses she should be honest with them in terms of what is possible. She talks about divide and conquer or people playing tough man. We are doing neither of those things. The Deputy is the person who is trying to divide here and encourage more people to go out on strike. What we are trying to do is solve problems, treat people with respect, listen to them and try to ensure that the industrial machinery of the State works in this instance, which we accept is difficult and challenging. We are trying to build a health service that can look after patients in the way everyone in this House wants.

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