andMr. T. Lynch asked the Minister for Defence if the request of the Irish Nurses Organisation for discussions on the revision of salaries for members of Seirbhís Áltranais an Airm will be granted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seirbhís Áltranais an Airm: Revision of Salaries.
54.
The remuneration of members of Seirbhís Áltranais an Airm is determined by reference to the remuneration of analogous grades in the nursing service of local authorities. Increases have been granted to certain grades in the latter service and the question of applying corresponding increases to members of Seirbhís Áltranais an Airm is under active consideration.
Cumann na mBanaltraí nGaedhealach is aware of the position and I cannot see that discussions would help. I may add that I am willing at all times to have discussions with representatives of An Cumann in relation to Seirbhís Áltranais an Airm provided such discussions will serve a useful purpose.
Does the Minister's reply mean in effect that he is not willing to discuss with the Irish Nurses Association the question of the revision of salaries of members of the Army Nursing Service?
The Deputy, I feel sure, understands that the remuneration of the Army Nursing Service is bound up intimately with the remuneration of the nursing service generally. The question generally is the subject of negotiations, I understand, at the present time between the City and County Managers Association on the one hand and the General Nursing Association on the other.
I thought I had asked a very simple and pertinent supplementary question but perhaps the Minister did not understand it. Is the Minister saying that in relation to the revision of the salaries of the Army Nursing Service he is unwilling to discuss the matter with the Irish Nurses Association?
As I told the Deputy, the general question is one for discussion between the City and County Managers Association and the General Nursing Association.
Is the answer yes or no?
When a decision has been reached in that——
How many times did the Deputy receive the organisation?
Many, many times.
What did they get?
They got every satisfaction.
Something they never got from the Tánaiste—courtesy.