andMrs. Hogan-O'Higgins asked the Minister for Health when the Irish Nurses' Organisation may expect to receive ministerial sanction to the agreement reached between the organisation and the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board in June, 1975 to the five-day, 40-hour working week for public health nurses on district duties.

7.

andMrs. Hogan-O'Higgins asked the Minister for Health when the Irish Nurses' Organisation may expect to receive sanction to the 1974 arbitration award to basic grade hospital nurses and public health nurses.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.

My approval to the implementation of these awards was conveyed to the Irish Nurses' Organisation on 6th November.