Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

This is the first national ambulance strike and it is happening on the watch of this Government. I have come straight from the picket line and I am scratching my head and wondering why a group of emergency workers is being abused in this way over something that seems quite simple. Why is the Taoiseach able to write to Kylie Minogue asking for a meeting but is unable to write a letter to the HSE asking it to recognise a group of workers in a union of 500? Is it by any chance because the Minister for Health is being dictated to by a larger union or is it now Government policy only to deal with unions that it believes toe the party line? What is going on? Why is this happening? These workers are using the slogan, "Our union, our choice", and that should be recognised and respected.

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