Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leader for setting out the Order of Business. I want to talk on behalf of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, the nurses' union, and the great work it does. Nurses and midwives are doing an amazing job on the front line in saving the lives of our loved ones in the context of Covid. It is a tragedy. They are physically exhausted. I do not know whether Senators had the opportunity to watch the "RTÉ Investigates" programme earlier this week. We saw nurses say they could not take a break even to go to the toilet because they would have to take off all their protective clothing. Some of them go many hours without food or water to stay on the job, saving the lives of our people. They are our heroes. That is true for doctors but also for front-line health workers such as orderlies, porters, cooks and security people - everyone who makes a hospital community tick.

Justine McCarthy wrote a very moving piece in last week's edition of The Sunday Times, in which she stated: "The emotional and psychological toll of caring for very sick patients isolated from their loved ones - sometimes holding a patient's hand until they take their final breath - is immeasurable." That sums it up. It is so sad and so tragic. The INMO has lodged a compensatory request with the Government. In its most recent statement, published on 9 February 2021, the union stated it was still waiting for a response from the Department of Health to that request. Despite great personal risk to themselves and their families - given that they too take personal risks - in going out and caring for our loved ones, healthcare workers do incredible work on the battlefield of holding back, stemming and keeping some control on Covid. We as a nation owe them an enormous debt of gratitude for their work and service.

The article goes on to argue that we cannot offer mere words of thanks and gratitude; we have to demonstrate our commitment. This is an important time for calm heads, and I do not want to be winding up issues in the Chamber or expressing the old political rhetoric. We all share a common concern in this House and the other. How can we in some way recognise the very significant work that these nurses are doing? In Northern Ireland and Britain, including Scotland, there is a sort of bonus scheme, although I am not sure that is what nurses are seeking. They are seeking financial recognition.Remember, a high percentage of people in the nursing profession are women who have childcare commitments. Schools are closed. Who is paying for these childcare services for them? That is another burden and stress they do not need at this time. I would welcome a debate, when it is appropriate. We should work together across these Houses to see if we can, in some practical and measurable way, compensate and support these nurses on the front line who look after and care for our loved ones in our amazing health services.