Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On resolving this dispute, and I believe it can be resolved, what is needed is engagement between the employer and the unions. That can happen and has happened already under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. It can potentially happen now under the auspices of the Labour Court. The Government is very aware of the important role that support staff play in the health service. I know it as Taoiseach, as a former Minister for Health and as somebody who worked in public health in our hospitals for four years. Healthcare assistants, maternity care assistants, porters, laboratory aides, surgical instrument cleaners and other staff have an essential role to play in the health service and in keeping our hospitals running. We do not want to see this strike happen. I believe it can be averted and there is a mechanism to do that.

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