Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am aware that this is Leaders' Questions. I also listened the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, this morning. I did not think the way he answered the question was necessarily at odds with what the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, was saying or how I answered the Deputy. As I have already said, we agree that we need a shift shortly to bring the parties together. When that happens there will be discussion on the issue of pay, whether in the context of what has been agreed, which will start soon, or of allowances that have been determined in relation to nurses, which will also begin soon. No doubt issues in relation to the future will also be discussed. That is all. That is what the Minister, Deputy Bruton, was saying and I think the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, would accept that if we get there, while at the same time identifying that there have been agreements and they are beginning to be followed up in relation to what the Government has promised.

I do not think that there is a difference, but based on the concern that the Government and nurses share for the safety of our patients, we need to come together.

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