Vol. 496 No. 7
65 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, made towards reaching agreement with the nursing unions at the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court on the claims they have made based on the report of the Nursing Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23693/98]
Health services management and the Nursing Alliance attended the Labour Relations Commission on 23 October 1998 for talks on the issues of additional recognition for long service for nurses, and differentials and incremental annual leave in promotional grades. No agreement was reached and the issues have been referred to the Labour Court. The hearing before the court will take place on 3 December 1998. In relation to the claims for allowances, a hearing from the Labour Court was held on 28 October 1998. At that hearing, health services management asked the court for a ruling on the admissibility of certain of the claims introduced by the Nursing Alliance in its submission to the court. The court duly adjourned the hearing to consider the matter, and a decision is awaited. Since the three specific pay-related issues referred to in the report of the Commission on Nursing are now before the Labour Court, I hope the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment in relation to them.
