Dáil debates

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions

 

12:25 pm

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We cannot make policy decisions on the basis of threats. My understanding of what is at play here is that the Psychiatric Nurses Association, PNA, states that its industrial action is in connection with, in the first instance, a dispute over the automated deduction of union subscriptions from members' pay. The HSE is refusing to facilitate payroll deductions at source of union subscriptions to the National Ambulance Service Representative Association, NASRA, as it does not recognise NASRA. Second, there is refusal by the HSE to engage in negotiations with the PNA or to recognise the PNA as union representatives when representing its ambulance personnel members. I can understand that there are people looking to change those structures. The Government's consistent policy has been one of consolidation of trade unions, such as happened recently in the formation of Fórsa. Giving any recognition to NASRA runs totally contrary to this objective and could indirectly lead to conflict with-----

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