Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

-----clearly shows that to be the case. May I point out to the Leader of the Opposition that the Minister, himself, is in breach of the PSSA, specifically phases 1 and 2 of the support staff evaluation process as agreed under the terms of the PSSA, which was completed on 4 October of last year? Within the terms of this process any award made is meant to be implemented within six weeks.Despite correspondence from SIPTU, the HSE refused to engage in respect of a series of pay awards made via the job evaluation process. Specifically, 5,200 health care assistants are entitled, under this agreement, to a 5% to 7% increase in pay and 600 central sterile services department, CSSD, operations lab aids and theatre porters are due a 7% increase. What did the Minister do? He ignored the job evaluation process from the PSSA study and his Department refused to meet the union. The Department of Finance also refused to meet the union and the Estimates were drawn up without including these awards, which were made under the PSSA. We have a Minister insisting that there be no breach of the PSSA and who is in breach of it. He has ignored calls by SIPTU to address this issue. What a bloody cheek. It is about time we had action.

Unfortunately, in the context of industrial relations, Fine Gael is a bit like Theresa May when it comes Brexit - it does not have the first clue what it is doing. It is time to stop prevaricating and enter negotiations with the INMO.