Vol. 389 No. 7
asked the Minister for Health the present position in relation to the current industrial dispute at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin Dublin 12; the steps he is talking to resolve the matter; and if he will clarify the threat, if any, to patient services or access to same.
177.
asked the Minister for Health if he intends to intervene in the present industrial relations dispute at Crumlin Children's Hospital, Dublin 12; given that the dispute is now in its tenth week, the plans he has to bring this matter to an end in order that the hospital services are no longer restricted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
In my reply to Question No. 39 from Deputy Bell on 15 March 1989, I outlined the background to the dispute at Crumlin Hospital and the process which had already been gone through in attempting to find a solution.
The most recent development has been the arrangement of high level talks involving ICTU, the ITGWU, the FUE, the management of the hospital and my Department which took place on 5 May. These discussions were resumed on 8 May and are continuing. I am hopeful that with the good will of all parties, a mutually acceptable formula can be devised which would bring this protracted dispute to an end.
In the meantime, services at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children continue to be provided at a satisfactory level.
