Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

To the first claim, about the hands-off approach, our approach is quite the opposite. Officials from my Department were in the Labour Court yesterday, along with officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The people involved in these negotiations comprise officials from the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE and the MLSA, so I am not for a moment suggesting this has nothing to do with the Government - of course it does. Nevertheless, given all parties have agreed to go into talks, it is appropriate to let those talks happen and respect that process, and I hope that will work well.

With regard to the MLSA and the future of the review, there is no question but that the association will be involved in that and I have no doubt Dr. Henry will talk to its representatives. It is essential that it be part of that process.

I apologise for not reaching the Deputy's final question. He might remind me of it in order that I can follow-up in my second response.

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