Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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414. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to act on his preference for negotiation as a dispute resolution regarding the threatened paramedic dispute in relation the withdrawal of labour on 22 January 2019; and his further plans to intervene. [2673/19]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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415. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the HSE has not responded to the requests by an organisation (details supplied) to meet to discuss contingency plans in order to agree appropriate emergency ambulance cover on the day of the threatened industrial dispute; and the action he has taken to ensure both sides meet to discuss such a plan. [2674/19]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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442. To ask the Minister for Health if he will engage in discussions with an organisation (details supplied) on the matter of the planned industrial action in the National Ambulance Service on 22 January 2019. [2893/19]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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443. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to contingency plans for the industrial action of members of an organisation (details supplied) on 22 January 2019. [2894/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 414, 415, 442 and 443 together.

SIPTU is recognised by the HSE and has negotiating rights for frontline ambulance grades employed by the Executive.  As a result, the HSE deducts subscriptions at source for those ambulance staff that are members of that union.  However, the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights. 

Whilst individuals have a right to membership of any trade union, if they choose to join an association which is not recognised by their employer, such membership is not facilitated by their employer. This means that the HSE does not facilitate deduction of union subscriptions for this particular Association.  

In order to mitigate the risk of any potential disruption to service, I have been advised by the HSE that the National Ambulance Service have robust contingency arrangements in place to respond to the industrial action.  This involves ensuring the availability of the Irish Defence Forces to provide crewed ambulances on the day of the strike. 

It is regrettable that the Psychiatric Nurses Association has taken this action.  Whilst negotiation is usually a preferred course of action, in this instance it is not possible for the HSE to engage with the PNA as it is an organisation with no negotiating rights in respect of frontline ambulance personnel.