Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome Deputy O'Dea and his visitors to the Gallery. I hope he does not come back as a Minister any time soon but he is always welcome to the Gallery. I thank the 19 Members of the House for their contributions to the Order of Business. At the outset I will begin by complimenting the Cathaoirleach and the staff of the Seanad and of the Houses of the Oireachtas on the organisation of the visit of uachtarán an Chumann Lúthchleas Gael. It was a wonderful occasion that showcased the work of an Cumann Lúthchleas Gael but also highlighted the importance of allowing the Upper House to invite people of distinction in to make an address. I commend all on their involvement in the organisation of yesterday's event.

Ten Senators, including Senators Ardagh, Conway-Walsh, Nash, Byrne, Murnane O'Connor, Devine, Higgins, Colm Burke, and Black, raised the issue of today's nurses' strike. On behalf of the Government and on my own behalf, I will say that we all respect and value the nurses who work in our hospitals. They do a very difficult job, in many cases in very trying situations, in a very specialised and pressurised field. Significant recruitment has been undertaken in recent years, to the tune of 3,000 new recruits to the nursing profession. Nobody on this side of the House is contesting the value of the nursing profession and its importance to the delivery of a safe health system. However, the Government has a public sector agreement to which the INMO signed up and agreed. Significant pay restoration has been given to many public sector workers. If we breach the public sector pay deal for one organisation, there will be a knock-on effect. The Members opposite me will come in here every day the House sits looking for extra money for different areas and we will have a free-for-all. We benefit from collective pay bargaining. We respect the nurses and their right to go on strike. I have no issue with that whatsoever, but it is important to recognise that the cost implication is €300 million. As the Taoiseach said yesterday, it is about being fair to all other public sector workers, being fair to patients, and affordability.

On my own behalf and, as the Leader of the House, on behalf of Government, I will say that it is imperative and important that we resolve this issue. As Senator Colm Burke stated very articulately in his contribution, there are significant points that need to be addressed with regard to recognising degree qualifications, taxation, and recognising posts of responsibility and so on. That can be done. It is disappointing on one level that the machinery of the State opted out on Tuesday evening when it has a role to play in the resolution of this matter.