I attended the two hour work stoppage by the Irish Nurses Organisation and the Psychiatric Nurses Association outside James Connolly hospital in Blanchardstown this afternoon. As you probably know, the nurses are currently engaged in an industrial relations dispute with the HSE over the failure of the HSE to grant nurses a 35 hour working week to bring them in line with other health professionals, and over a pay anomaly which means that many nurses are paid less than care assistants, who must report to nurses.
There was an excellent turn out at the march, with many nurses coming in for the afternoon to show solidarity. The protest also received a very favourable response from the public, with many car horns sounded in support.
Speaking at the rally, I reiterated the position adopted by the Green Party that we support their demands for a 35 hour working week in line with other health professionals. We believe that the HSE must immediately set a date for the implementation of the 35 hour week. When this is done, it will give the necessary space to address the unfair pay anomaly that exists between nurses and certain care assistants.
What is the Green party position on the current nursing dispute? What would your party do about it if you come into government?