Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Has the Minister of State read the results of the health sector national staff survey? This question was already asked by one of the Deputies and I also asked it. In 2016, in response to a question about whether respondents had experienced bullying or harassment in their organisation in the past two years, 48% of ambulance workers said "Yes". In response to a question about whether they had witnessed bullying or harassment in the past two years, 68% said "Yes". In response to a question about whether they had been subject to either verbal or physical assault in their organisation in the past two years, 51% said "Yes". A so-called staff engagement forum was set up. What did we see after two years? In response to a question about whether respondents had experienced bullying or harassment in their organisation, up to 69% said "Yes". Up to 70% said they had witnessed bullying and harassment and while 73% said they had been subject that they had been subject to verbal or physical assault. This is a dire situation for workers to be in and they need to be represented by a union. I asked the Minister of State whether she would ask the Minister to meet a cross-party grouping in respect of this issue in order to move it on as much as possible. These workers have a right to freedom of choice regarding which union they join. Complications and Chinese walls are being put up regarding these workers. They are professionals. There have been no major incidents because they are leaving the picket line, getting into ambulances and driving to critical incidents in order to ensure that people are not left on the road or in any danger. These are professional people who should be recognised and respected.

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