Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with the questions put to me by Deputies Pringle and Wallace. On Deputy Pringle's point regarding engagement to date, there has been engagement to date. The Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court have been involved. It is obvious that engagement did not yield outcomes that were satisfactory to those who represent nurses as otherwise we would not be in this situation. Engagement has taken place. Preceding that, there was the process of the Public Service Pay Commission which went on for the best part of a year in terms of analysis of the issue and recommendations. The commission went through a formidable analysis, which was far from easy, to make the recommendations it made.

On Deputy Wallace's questions, the Deputy is correct that I did meet the Public Service Pay Commission. My understanding is that all other participants and stakeholders in this process also met and made submissions to the commission.

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