Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Tuesday 17°CWednesday 16°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

sponsor banner
sponsor banner
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
News

Govt must sit down with nursing unions to resolve strikes – Cope

written by Stephen Maguire February 8, 2019
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has called on the Government to immediately enter into talks with the Nursing Unions in an effort to solve the ongoing pay claims and working conditions improvements required by nurses.

Next week sees potentially another week of strikes with another 3 days being scheduled to take place.

At the same time the Government fail to engage in talks with the nursing unions, nothing can ever be achieved by ignoring or failing to engage with those that have a genuine grievance, said Pat the Cope.

He argued “The Government’s isolationist policy on nursing pay is having disastrous effects on service delivery right throughout the health services, earlier this week we witnessed an attempt by the Government to stymie a debate within the Dáil on nurses pay until my party forced the issue and a debate ensued.

“I am getting extremely concerned that the cumulative effect of these strikes is going to seriously impact on those wishing to access hospitals, services or treatments. With over 80,000 patients already impacted by the strikes thus far any further strikes will have massive consequences.”

He said the failure to take real leadership on this issue so far rests fairly and squarely with the Government.

And he said the approach of the Health Minister and Taoiseach defies logic, it is as if they are wishing the strikes will disappear.

“But, in the real world and in political life especially – genuine claims and grievances such as what the nurses have must be dealt with as opposed to being ignored stated Pat the Cope.

“Incredible as it sounds this same Government is spending €1.4 million per week on agency nurses throughout the services.

“This could easily be redirected into mainstream nursing and services if the health service was properly managed by the Government. The greatest challenge in our health services at present is the ongoing mismanagement of the service by this Government.”

“Meantime, as of now the Government still do not know the extent of the claims being requested from the nursing unions due to the fact that they have not yet spoken to them.

“The announcement of the Labour Courts review of the Nurses claim is welcome but at this eleventh hour the Government needs to get down of their high horse and sit down to cross the table talks with the nurses added Pat the Cope.

He added that not for the first time has this Government shown its arrogance and isolationist approach to public services and the issues which directly affect the general public.

“I am calling on the Taoiseach, Minister for Health and their Cabinet Colleagues to immediately enter into talks with the nursing unions, that these talks talk place immediately and without preconditions otherwise our Health Service with either grind to a halt or collapse completely in the weeks ahead.

“Arm’s length diplomacy and failing to talk will solve nothing; the nursing unions have a genuine claim, an exceptional claim which is above and beyond any other profession in this state – the Government need to recognise that and open the door to talks concluded,” Pat the Cope.

Govt must sit down with nursing unions to resolve strikes – Cope was last modified: February 7th, 2019 by Stephen Maguire
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Tags:
donegalNURSESPat the Copestrike
Stephen Maguire

Stephen Maguire is the co-founder of Donegal Daily. He has worked as a reporter for almost 30 years starting locally with the Donegal Peoples Press before moving to the Mirror Group. He continues to contribute daily to national media outlets including the Irish Times, RTE, the Irish Independent, Irish Sun, Irish Mirror, Irish Star, the Daily Mail and the Examiner.

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Donegal girl TJ takes big steps ahead...

48 minutes ago

Donegal mourns passing of pioneering nun, Sr....

2 hours ago

Cars targeted in vandalism incident in East...

3 hours ago

Two drivers injured in Inishowen collision

3 hours ago

Martin McDermott elected new Mayor of Inishowen...

6 hours ago

Six Donegal bands hit all the right...

6 hours ago

Three cows and a bull stolen from...

7 hours ago

Food van vandalised again in Ramelton

10 hours ago

Former Donegal County Manager appointed as chair...

10 hours ago

Cash robbed from donation box at Rossnowlagh...

11 hours ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

Donegal County Council

Facebook
Donegal County Council
Advertisement
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2025 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy