Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Ambulance paramedics from all over the State are arriving at the gates of Leinster House as we speak, demanding that the union of choice for 500 ambulance personnel be recognised. They have just announced their eighth day of strike action will take place on 19 July in opposition to what they rightly see as union busting policy. It is clear that these ambulance workers are not going to go away. Will the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, instruct the HSE to enter into talks with them?

Correspondence was sent to the Minister for Health, signed by Members of the Dáil from across political parties, requesting a face-to-face meeting to discuss our concerns on this issue and the Minister has not given us the courtesy of anything other than the response, "We note receipt of your letter." Before this Government is out the gap for the summer recess, will the Minister, Deputy Doherty, meet the Minister, Deputy Harris, tap him on the shoulder and tell him to cop himself on and meet a cross-party delegation?

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