Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government recognises the importance of the hospital. The Department of Health, the HSE, the children's hospital group and the national paediatric hospital development board are continuing to work to ensure that we deliver a world-class facility which we will all have. I share Senator Ardagh's views that we should have it. As I said yesterday, an evaluation of tenders has taken place. The Minister is bringing a business case to the Government. Let us celebrate when we have it up and running.

I join with Senators Ardagh and Devine, who raised the issue of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, and its decision to take industrial action. It is important that we recognise and understand, as Senator Burke and Senator Devine - who I know worked in the health sector - said, that there is an awful lot of activity going on in our health system. There is huge responsibility entrusted in the men and women who are nurses in our hospitals and in particular they have had to endure a torrid time over the past decade. I accept that. It is important to also recognise that recruitment is being carried on as we speak. People are being recruited. There are nearly 1,000 posts filled and we must welcome that. If we need to increase the number of people employed in the health sector in the line of nursing then I will be one who will support and work with Senator Devine to achieve that.