Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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416. To ask the Minister for Health the engagements he has had with a union (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it represents over 500 medical professionals in the health service; the efforts he has made to avert industrial action proposed for later in December 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53119/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The union which is recognised by the HSE as representing ambulance grades is SIPTU. The Psychiatric Nurses' Association (PNA), which is a non ICTU affiliated union, have negotiating rights for nurses working in psychiatry and intellectual disability sectors. The National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA), which is affiliated with the PNA, is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights for HSE ambulance staff.

Whilst individuals have a right to membership of any trade union, HSE ambulance staff who choose to join an association which is not recognised by their employer should be aware that such membership is not facilitated by their employer.

I am clear that industrial action is never the solution to industrial relations issues. The interests of patients are always best served through negotiation and by avoiding any such action. I welcome the decision taken by the PNA to defer the strike action planned for 19th December. In the interim, the PNA have referred the issue to the Workplace Relations Commission.