I bring to the attention of Members that we will only be taking relevant questions on promised legislation or the programme for Government. Deputy Micheál Martin is first.

In the programme for Government there is a strong commitment to "Implement the new procedures to ensure more efficient and timely recruitment of nurses". As all Members are aware, there is a considerable shortage of nurses across the country's hospitals. There is a significant turnover of nurses, particularly theatre nurses and nurses working in emergency medicine, because of the absolute and abject failure of manpower and human resources policies in the health sector. The INMO represents nurses and midwives and, giving vent to its frustration at the failure to implement this commitment in the programme for Government, will commence a nationwide work-to-rule from Friday next. That will cause further challenges and difficulties to the health service, not least in terms of elective operations being cancelled and will make waiting lists etc., much worse. Can the Taoiseach indicate whether any moves have been made to ensure this gets dealt with by the labour relations machinery? Can he indicate whether the WRC has been invited to prevent this work-to-rule and what will the Government do about the overall issue of recruitment of nurses?

I will ask the Minister, Deputy Harris, to give Deputy Micheál Martin detail on that.

The Government has provided funding to take on 1,000 additional nurses this year.

The Government has had fruitful discussions on a range of issues in respect of recruitment and retention with the INMO. It was not possible to reach agreement on all issues. I note the comments of the Lansdowne Road agreement oversight group yesterday that both parties should now use the services of the WRC and I appeal to the INMO to enter talks at the WRC. Industrial action is not in the interests of anybody, nurses or patients, and the WRC is available. Health management is available to go to the WRC and I would urge the INMO to meet us there.