Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

It is disappointing for the Taoiseach to portray this as engagement that began in January. This has been recommended for 15 years. Three major reports have recommended it. Since last summer, various Government spokespersons have been saying that we are nearly there and nearly reaching a conclusion. The Taoiseach drove public health doctors to the point of threatening strike action in January because of his failure to respond to this need and to actually take action on it. That strike action was called off at the last minute on the understanding that the Government would actually deliver on its promises. It still has not happened. Is the Taoiseach going to force those doctors to the point of strike action again? How long do they have to wait for action from the Government? People are fed up with these promises. This is an essential service. It should, of course, be properly resourced. It is critical that it is properly resourced when we are trying to respond adequately to a pandemic. Will the Taoiseach give us a timescale on when agreement will be reached and when funding will be made available to upgrade those doctors? They have the same qualifications as every consultant in every other discipline of medicine. Why will the Taoiseach not do this? Let us not have public health doctors going on strike in the midst of a pandemic. It would be unforgivable.

See this speech in context