Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is to commence a ballot for industrial action of its members in the coronary care unit of Cork University Hospital. These front-line workers have been forced to work with unsafe staffing levels for far too long. They have also been forced to work with an inappropriate skills mix in their team. If these workers decide to take industrial action, I believe they deserve the support of the Cork public and all who want to see a better health service in this country. Although any potential dispute is a dispute with their direct employer, it is clear this is a national issue. Only last week, for example, a similar ballot commenced at University Hospital Limerick.

The issue of resources for safe staffing in our hospitals is a national issue, a Government issue. What changes does the Taoiseach intend to make on this front?

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