I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting my matter which relates to the impending nurses' strike and the problems it is likely to create. I also thank Minister of State, Deputy O'Shea, for coming to the House to respond.
I remind the Minister of State of the huge level of anxiety among the public as a result of the rampant crime wave. However, anxiety is also rising among the old, the sick and their families at the prospect of a nurses' strike and the disruption it will cause to an essential public service, the nursing service. This matter has not yet received media attention. It is the Minister for Health's responsibility to ensure the continuity of health services. I appeal to him to act now before matters deteriorate, to take whatever steps are open to him and his Department to ensure talks recommence and are brought to a successful conclusion and to ensure the threatened strike is averted.
Nurses must not be put in a position where they have no option but to strike. Their list of demands is reasonable and must be given a hearing. There has been no review of pay and conditions in the nursing profession since 1980. We should consider the nature and scale of changes in medical and hospital technology and nursing practice in the intervening 15 years. None of these factors, including the increasing range of demands on nurses, have been taken into account. The required improvements in pay and conditions are long overdue.
Nurses are among the most dedicated professionals in the public and private sectors. Their dedication and professionalism cannot be taken for granted any longer. Within the health services, nurses have heavy responsibilities, long working hours and difficult working conditions. These facts are not reflected in the off-hand attitude adopted by the Minister for Health, Deputy Noonan, in his few comments to date in response to their protests. I regret the Minister is not in the House to address this important issue. I trust his absence is not a measure of a lack of attention to the fundamental importance of this matter.
In the budget the House voted in excess of £2 billion to the Minister for the running of the health services in the next year. Taxpayers who pay this money, would, given the opportunity, vote for a decent deal for nurses. They would not wish nurses to be treated shabbily. Under the offer currently on the table, I understand an increase of 1 per cent would be offered to a certain category of nurses. If that is not treating nurses shabbily, I do not know what is shabby treatment. I am not aware of workers in any sector who would consider 1 per cent anything less or more than an insult. They have been treated shabbily. Those of us who vote £2 billion to the Department of Health would not wish to see our money spent in a manner that overlooks the legitimate needs and demands of nurses.
Other factors must be taken into account and cannot be ignored by the Minister. There is a high level of anxiety among patients, prospective patients, their families and those who need to avail of the health services. The Minister must take whatever steps are open to him to recommence negotiations and ensure that the pay, conditions and career structure of nurses reflect the professionalism and qualifications of members of the nursing profession.
