Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am of the view that the Deputy's party are opportunistic propagandists and it is all about distorting the truth. In 2016, the Deputy wanted to reverse the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, in their entirety. The higher earners and pensioners, that the Deputy is giving out about now, would have had their cuts reversed back in 2016 if he had his way. That is the truth.

In relation to nursing students, I do not believe the apprenticeship model is the correct model. I brought in the nursing degree programme in 2002 to professionalise and drag nurse education into the 21st century. That was the whole purpose of it. The entire nursing community, from trade unions in nursing right through to the education sector, and across the board, at the time wanted that. In subsequent years, it has been a basis for seeking pay increases as well.

The point I am making is I do not believe in going back to an apprenticeship model. I am open to reviewing that. If people want to go back to an apprenticeship model, we live in a democracy. I do not think it would be right for nursing or the nursing profession.

The Deputy seems to think it is okay for people to have to do menial tasks whilst they are meant to be learning in terms of the education programme. That is wrong.

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