Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State's reply is not acceptable and it is a vitally important right that workers' own choice of union be recognised. The Minister of State said SIPTU represents the ambulance grades. This is fair enough as it represents quite a large number of them. FÓRSA and Unite, as far as I understand, have very small numbers of ambulance-grade workers within their membership. At the very least, if NASRA is not the biggest, it is certainly the second largest union that workers have chosen to represent them with their employer.

The Government represents the people of all the country, including these workers, and does not just represent the HSE. Unfortunately, it seems like we are fighting on behalf of the other unions as well, which can stand back and watch. The only people this decision facilitates are the other unions. It does not make life any easier for the ambulance service. What would make life easier for it would be recognition of workers' right to be represented by the people they choose.

I thank Deputy Gallagher, who is fully supportive of the issues we are raising and would have liked to have been present for this debate.

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