Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State mentioned a total of 1,800 highly-trained staff. However, the issue here is that the 350 workers to which also she referred have an absolute right to have their trade union represent them. To date, the simple fact is that the HSE has refused to accept the invitation to the Workplace Relations Commission for talks aimed at resolving this matter. What role can the Minister and Minister of State play in encouraging the HSE to get directly involved in bringing about a resolution? Several of my colleagues referred to the health sector national staff survey for 2018. The survey results make disturbing reading detailing as they do the kind of pressures these staff members are under. We were informed at the briefing last week that staffing levels are dangerously low in areas such as the north east, where 22 people were rostered but just ten were available. A paramedic who worked as a psychiatric nurse for 20 years told us that the target is that an ambulance is dispatched within 90 seconds of dialling 999 but that the caller is not told where the ambulance will be dispatched from so many issues need to be addressed. The PNA has said that it is open to going to the Workplace Relations Commission with the HSE. Members just want to have their choice of trade union, improve their working lives and provide the best possible service to the public. The Minister of State can enable that and I urge her to do so.

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