Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have only seen the media reports of the survey she mentioned. I have not had chance to read it yet. My understanding from what I was briefed on earlier is that it relates to three out of four staff having considered at some point leaving their work area, not necessarily their profession which is obviously a different thing. However, I acknowledge that we need to continue to improve terms, conditions and pay for our healthcare staff including our doctors and nurses. We have a pay deal which was ratified by a large majority by the nursing unions. No doubt we will begin discussions on a further pay deal to come into place later this year. As I outlined, we are increasing staffing. We have over 6,000 more nurses, midwives and doctors in our public health service than was the case when this Government came to office and we will continue to do that. The Ministers, Deputies Coveney and Harris, have met representatives of the INMO and are working with them on changes we can make around safety in the workplace, which is really important, and tougher sentences for people who abuse our front-line workers.

The Deputy has many criticisms. She never acknowledges the success of our health service and the things we achieve in our health service. She never puts forward any solutions. I am not surprised that she does not because north of the Border, where her party has been in office-----

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