Press Release

From Mrs Josephine Helly, National President of the Irish CountryWomen’s Association.

On behalf of our 10,000 members, I issue an appeal to the Minister of Health Simon Harris and Minister of Finance Paschal Donohoe, to have meaningful and open discussion with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.  To look at all their demands including pay which is one of their main core issues.  A solution has to be found.  Ministers there is room for creativity within the public service agreement.

Last week the nurse’s strike affected 25,000 patients.  This week that figure is in the region of 50,000 patients as stated by the HSE, and more strikes are planned which will further incur hardships. 

I pose the question Ministers:

The long awaited children’s hospital is estimated to cost €1.4 billion whenever it’s finished, I ask you who will staff it?

Will our highly trained nurses and medical personnel, be still available or will they have gone to join their colleagues to far flung countries where there are better paid, more opportunities for career advancement and more appreciated? 

Talk to the nurses directly and not through the media!!

As ministers of Health and Finance this is your problem, solve it now before it gets worse.

Josephine Helly

National President ICA