Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I wish to raise a serious matter evident overnight in St. Ita's Hospital in Portrane. Last night a number of staff covering three units had to continue working their shift to complete a full 24-hour cover round-the-clock work regime. They could not go home because no relief was available to let them home.

This outrageous situation has arisen as a result of an ongoing dispute of which many Senators are aware relating to the compensation scheme for nurses working in the mental health services who were injured as a result of an assault at work. I understand the Psychiatric Nurses' Association and SIPTU served notice in this regard three weeks ago. The notice expired yesterday and no meaningful negotiations took place within the three-week period. Nurses are now forced to take industrial action, including a ban on overtime, which staff consider to be voluntary in any case. They are sticking to rostered hours. As a result, units were covered by staff working for 24 hours. This is to continue today and over the weekend until negotiations take place. Similar cases are arising in St. Brendan's Hospital in Dundrum as well as other locations throughout the country. The other locations are less reliant on overtime. It is a dangerous position for vulnerable and high-dependency patients and it is very unsatisfactory for staff.

I ask the Deputy Leader to bring this matter urgently to the attention of the Minister and ask her to direct the Health Service Executive to initiate meaningful negotiations so this15-year campaign by nurses can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.