Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 412: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene in the nurses' dispute with a view to initiating meaningful negotiations with the INO and the PNA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14632/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The issues of nurses' pay and working hours have been fully processed through the State's industrial relations structures and procedures — the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court. Health service management have accepted in full the Labour Court Recommendation. The Irish Nurses Organisation and Psychiatric Nurses Association state that they have neither accepted nor rejected this Recommendation and instead served notice of industrial action.

The INO and PNA had been originally due to commence industrial action from 12 March 2007. Following contacts between Government representatives and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) it was agreed to put in place an intensive time bound process of engagement under the aegis of the National Implementation Body (NIB), to address the issues underpinning the dispute, taking account of the relevant Labour Court recommendations. The INO and PNA postponed their industrial action for the duration of the NIB talks.

The Labour Court was clear and unambiguous in its Recommendation in relation to the two key issues in dispute. In relation to the claim for a reduction in working hours from 39 to 35 hours per week, the Court recommended that the parties should jointly explore the possibility of initiating an appropriate process aimed at achieving major reorganisation of working arrangements and practices within the health service generally. The Court also stated that such an initiative should take account of and support existing development involving other groups.

In relation to the pay anomaly in the Intellectual Disability sector, the Court noted that the unions had considerably broadened the claim to encompass the totality of nursing and midwifery grades. It was the view of the Court that such a claim could only be processed through Benchmarking.

The NIB talks adjourned on 1 April without agreement. The INO and PNA commenced a nationwide work to rule on 2 April and a series of short work stoppages started on 11 April. The HSE has reported that the work to rule is having a serious impact on patient care throughout the service and the work stoppages have resulted in the cancellation of a number of elective procedures. There are significant costs to the health service associated with the contingency arrangements that the health service has been forced to put in place as a result of the INO and PNA industrial action. I am concerned that funds provided for patient services are being diverted to pay for overtime and agency workers because of the refusal by INO and PNA members to work normally.

The NIB held informal exploratory talks with both sides on Monday 23 April. It was agreed that face to face talks will be held this afternoon. I welcome these discussions and the decision by the INO and PNA to call off the escalation of work stoppages planned for tomorrow and Friday.