Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Here are the truths. The truth is that student nurses and midwives are working hard. The truth is that our system and the services patients rely on would grind to a halt, in some cases, without their effort. The truth is the Taoiseach has chosen to disregard and disrespect the fact that these students work extremely hard. The only abuse at play here is the abuse of not paying these student nurses and midwives for their honest effort and work. The Taoiseach says he is not refusing to pay them. The only logical conclusion, then, is that he will pay them but to pay them he must recognise their work and effort. I will state clearly that professionalisation of nursing should not be used as an alibi or a cover for pauperising these workers.

It is lost on no one that student nurses and midwives get reviews, delays and denials-----

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