Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I agree with a number of previous speakers on the issue of the environment. The suggestion that the Bill could start here is an excellent one. It would benefit from constructive cross-party discussion and debate.

I will raise two issues briefly, if I may. The first relates to student nurses. I will quote the words of a student nurse, which I read late last night.

Just home from unpaid 13 hour shift. I struggle to reach my learning goals on placement because I am carrying out duties that should be carried out by a paid staff member. I am working not just learning and govt just doesn’t value that. Is it any wonder we all want to emigrate?

That is quite a stark message. An issue was pointed out to me that is worth noting. Apprentices to electricians, plumbers and so on, which are male-dominated professions, get paid while they learn. I have no doubt that if nursing was a male-dominated profession, we would not be talking about this issue now because it would have been solved years ago. I am at a complete loss as to why the Government has not dealt with this issue to date. It occurs to me that it must be because of a lack of political will. We have been talking about it since the beginning of the pandemic and yet, nine months on, these nurses are still working for free. It is a shameful situation that requires action. I ask the Leader to insist, on what I hope would be a cross-party basis, that this issue is tackled as we enter the crucial months of December, January and February.

The second issue I wish to raise is that of Shannon Heritage. This is again a matter which has received cross-party support in recent months. In August, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform told us that €2.6 million had been allocated to Shannon Heritage to keep key sites such as Bunratty Castle and King John's Castle open. That was not the case, however. We were subsequently told by the management of the Shannon Group that actually only €550,000 of funding had been allocated. We now know that both Bunratty Castle and King John's Castle, which is a prime site in Limerick, will close on 31 December and their workers will be laid off until at least Easter. This goes entirely against what we were promised by Government Deputies. The staff and union representatives feel absolutely betrayed. "Betrayed" is the only word I can use in this regard. I do not think a city like Dublin would accept the closure of its key sites. The people of Limerick certainly will not accept the closure of King John's Castle. It strikes me that this issue shows a lack of commitment to the west and Limerick.

It also frustrates me that, to date, Sinn Féin is the only party which has called for Shannon Heritage to be removed from the Shannon Group. Privately, a number of Deputies from other parties have said it is the right thing to do. We are calling for its transfer to the Office of Public Works. We can see that Clare County Council has no problem keeping the Cliffs of Moher site open all year round. There has been a series of failures and broken promises from Government. I ask for a debate on the matter.