Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach described this as a long-standing issue. For workers suffering because of low pay, 21 years is very long-standing when we have an expert group recommendation that is simply not being implemented. There has been a passing of the buck throughout this whole process. When the MLSA negotiate with the HSE, the HSE states the problem is it cannot get the money from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, but that Department is not in the room at the WRC, for example. If the Taoiseach is pointing to the WRC, does he not agree the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform should be in the room at the WRC for the negotiations? It is the one that is or is not doling out the money, as the case may be.

I urge the Taoiseach not to also pass the buck. Ultimately, he is the Taoiseach; the Head of Government. It is a very simple issue in terms of pay parity. It is an issue that has been recognised by the expert group, whose recommendation the HSE and the Department of Health agreed to implement. The Taoiseach should send a direction to the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform saying we will address these workers' very legitimate concern, especially in the context of the cost-of-living crisis, the fact they are owed an 8% pay rise and, as inflation is now at 8%, that this is the very least they need. If the Government does not act, the Taoiseach has the responsibility. By just asking workers to lift the strike action - when they did that previously meaningful negotiations did not result - the Government will be responsible for the disruption of tens of thousands of outpatient appointments next week and even more the following week.

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