asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the present position in the dispute between the anaesthetists and the health boards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anaesthetists' Pay Claim.
4.
As I indicated to the House on Thursday 17th April 1975, representatives of the anaesthetists at a meeting with the staff negotiations board on 14th April were requested to call off or suspend their action so that formal negotiations on their claim could proceed. They have since agreed to suspend their actions. Conciliation meetings were held on 24th and 29th April. At the latter meeting an offer on the claim was made to the anaesthetists and their response to this is awaited.
When does the Parliamentary Secretary expect this dispute to be resolved?
All I can say is that this offer has yet to be formally put by the Medical Union to its members and it should not, therefore, be discussed at this stage.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this situation is causing widespread mental distress to people awaiting even minor operations? It also means that the health boards are committed to colossal expenditure in regard to the supply of tranquilisers to such people. In view of the cost of the delay by the Minister and the Government in making some effort to settle this dispute, this has become a very costly matter from the medical point of view and the financial point of view for the people concerned.
I can appreciate quite well the Deputy's interest in this which is like mine. On the other hand, I am sure he will appreciate that the Medical Union have still to advise their members and we do not do any good by discussing it here.