Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I also wish to give a big thanks to all staff and the organisers of yesterday's An Chéad Dáil. It was an enjoyable event and a reminder to us all of the need for us as legislators to progress the democratic programme as set out 100 years go. I do not wish to put a dampener on it, but members of the deaf community have asked in future for consideration of the interpretation of such events that are broadcast nationwide because they feel they missed out on it.

I also wish to bring up the National Ambulance Service Representative Association, NASRA, strike that commenced at 7 o'clock this morning. I tabled a Commencement matter on this on 7 November. In 2010, we march down the street from Parnell Square as part of what was called the 24-7 Alliance. The years of austerity had seen attacks on our pay. We marched so pay would not be attacked. The State was going to retain core pay but let additional payments for night duty, weekends and Christmas go to the wall. Thus the 24-7 Alliance was born. Then 500 ambulance personnel made a request to join the Psychiatric Nurses Association, PNA. It was a little odd at the time but it has worked out well in the nine years since. I have questioned him the Minister previously and I put him on notice on 7 November that we do not need to escalate this. As has been said, the health service in its entirety is escalating the staff's dispute, and it is not just about pay and conditions. The strike concerns treatment of State and the duty of care that they feel they cannot carry out. Basically, this dispute is about the right to be heard. It is about having a fundamental right to join a union and for that union of one's choice to represent one. Sinn Féin has no position on the merits or otherwise of pay and conditions claims, only that we believe such disputes are best resolved through dialogue and negotiation. The Trade Union Representation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2018 has been introduced by Sinn Féin, and we wish to see it enacted as soon as possible.