Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I thank Senators Hoey and Sherlock and all of the Labour Party Senators for proposing this important Bill. I am encouraged that Senators from both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have broadly welcomed it. Seeing it through to implementation is a different test, however, and only time will tell what will happen in that regard.

We know there are immense burdens on the Minister. I do not doubt his credentials in terms of his absolute commitment. It is a very difficult time for anyone to take on the role of Minister for Health. I will not quote all the suggested titles for that Ministry but we know it is a difficult one. I believe it is the hardest portfolio at this juncture. Covid has impacted on all of our professional and family lives, and on commerce and everything else in this country. We do not really know what is coming down the tracks. There are challenges coming our way daily. It is not an easy, and I acknowledge that and the Minister's important work.

I also acknowledge the enormous emotional and psychological difficulties, pressures and burdens that fall on healthcare workers. Senator Conway referred to porters, cleaners and those who prepare food. The entire community of health workers is under enormous pressure. Students nurses are also under enormous pressure. I will not go into great detail because Senator Hoey directly quoted some of the people she has engaged with. I acknowledge the work she has done in that regard and her professional, in-depth drilling down into the issues. She did that very well, as she always does. She spoke to people in person. There is no better way to demonstrate the issues than to have personal testimony from people who are on the front line. Let us face it; this is the battle line. Those who are on the front line of the health service are saving the lives of citizens. They are holding the hands of loved ones, which is something that we should be doing but we cannot get into the hospitals because of the Covid restrictions. They stay with these people and afford them dignity until they breathe their last in this world. What a sad situation. Many nurses, fully trained and student nurses, go far beyond the call of duty.

There are also trained and trainee midwives. We know about the enormous difficulties people experience when they go in for what should be a joyous celebration of birth, new life and new people. Sometimes there are complications around that, and it is another harrowing experience not only for the expectant mother but also for the nurses and care workers. We are all on the same page. I do not see why there is a difficulty. Next week, we will be talking about another group of people who are underpaid. It is important that we recognise that people should be rewarded for their hard efforts.

I thank the INMO for the responsible attitude it has shown in difficult and challenging times. In many ways, the INMO has been very moderate. I know the organisation is sometimes criticised by its members because of its reasonableness and modern approach. We owe a deep gratitude to student nurses and all who train in hospitals. They should be recognised for their hard work and special bedside training. Up to ten years ago, there was traditional training and formation in place for nurses. I know nurses now have both a practical and academic basis for their training and they also do course work. Time and again, these trainees are on the front line experiencing trauma and working long hours way beyond the call of duty and expectation.However, they have not complained. They have stepped in and they have stepped up to the plate and supported their colleagues.

It is important that we send a clear message on this issue. I know there are difficulties and constraints in the context of finance and remuneration, but these student nurses are of critical importance at this juncture when there are so many challenges around the health service. Members of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have spoken in broad acceptance and support of the terms of the Bill. I have no doubt that other Senators will do likewise when they have an opportunity to speak. I thank the Labour Party for putting this issue on the agenda. I have no doubt that its Senators will not leave it at that but, rather, will pursue it. I thank them for that.

I wish to acknowledge the work of the Minister. It is easy to be critical of a person who is in authority and leading from the front as the Minister is doing. He does not have an easy task. He was not in his role at this time last year. It is not easy, but he is on the front line of healthcare, as were previous Ministers, and has taken many knocks and bangs. He faces challenges every day. I do not doubt his commitment but it is important that he, as the leader of the health services in terms of policy, and the practitioners are in unison and support each other rather than battling against each other. It is that strength and solidarity that will bring about greater confidence in the health service.