Louth Green Party

The Green Party candidate in Louth, Cllr Mark Dearey, has called on the HSE to withdraw the counter productive threat to dock nurses pay and then take the imitative by re-opening negations with a view to settling the dispute. "This dispute will have to be settled sometime so the sooner negotiations re-start the better" said Dearey. "The nursing unions have shown flexibility and are prepared to fully engage in meaningful negotiations so the employers must now show a similar willingness to end the stand-off".

"This can be processed through the National Implementation Body, The LRC or direct negotiations under a neutral facilitator" the candidate continued. Speaking prior to meeting INO representatives - as part of party leader Trevor Sargents’ constituency tour today, Cllr Dearey stressed that the Green Party fully supports the nurses claim for a 35 hour week and that a date (or dates, for a phased introduction) must be set for implementation. When this aspect of the dispute is settled the pay anomaly can be negotiated in a fair, transparent and accountable process based on the productivity elements already submitted by the unions to the NIB. Cllr Dearey said that on the canvas this week has has received a great reaction to the 'common sense' contribution by John Gormley TD, Green Party spokesman on health, to the INO special delegate conference in Dublin last week.

"The Green Party recognises and values the compassion and commitment of the nursing profession and similar commitment and common sense from the HSE is now required to restore normality to our health services" concluded Dearey