Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I share Senator MacSharry’s concern about the decision by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, to call for strike action to commence on 15 December. This will cause great stress and worry for many patients, particularly elderly people, during the winter. While I can appreciate much of the frustration of nurses regarding the continued overcrowding in hospitals and, in some instances, the limited resources available, very significant progress is being made. The emergency department task force plan is taking effect and there are 20% fewer people on trolleys today than was the case 12 months ago. A total of 197 hospital beds have been opened since October, with 44 more to open in the next two weeks. Almost 760 more nurses have been employed since this time last year and a recent overseas recruitment drive has given rise to 400 definite expressions of interest, which is good news in the context of the acute shortage of nursing personnel. I hope that between now and 15 December all parties will make use of the Workplace Relations Commission to resolve the outstanding issues. I understand that apart from those relating to overcrowding and staffing, there are other issues that need to be addressed. I hope the INMO and the Health Service Executive, HSE, management will redouble their efforts to ensure that a binding agreement that will make industrial action unnecessary will be put in place. These matters must to be sorted out around a table and the old, the sick and those who depend on hospital services do not deserve to be put under pressure and stress coming into winter. A solution must be found. I hope this proposed industrial action for 15 December will be called off.