Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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77. To ask the Minister for Health his plans in the event of a strike by nurses in public hospitals to deal with extended waiting lists and access to emergency department services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50772/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the INMO and the PNA have rejected recent pay proposals. The INMO are currently conducting a ballot of their members seeking a mandate for industrial action. While the Government will respect the outcome of this ballot, I would continue to urge the parties to continue to engage. Indeed, I understand that the parties have been invited to attend a meeting of the National Oversight Body next week. I would hope that this will provide an opportunity to progress matters. As I have said previously, while I understand that our health service faces serious challenges on recruitment and retention, I do not believe that industrial action is the solution.

However, I can assure the Deputy that, if a strike were to happen, HSE Management will put contingency plans in place to minimise any disruption that may arise, and to ensure that patient safety is not compromised. A framework for dispute resolution is in place for the health services and this set out procedures to be followed in order to make the required arrangements.