I look forward to being allowed as much rope on the issue I want to discuss. Yesterday we celebrated the foundation of the State. We were all present. The Constitution allows for freedom of association and the right to join a trade union of choice. It is enshrined in the Constitution as a fundamental right. We have statements on laws about unions, but I wonder what the attitude of the Taoiseach is to the matter, considering the celebration of the foundation of the State, what is included in the Constitution and the fact that there are 500 paramedics and ambulance personnel on picket lines today who are fighting for their right to join the union of their choice. Is there not a fundamental contradiction between the rights enshrined in the Constitutions and the laws that are absent from this parliament? What does the Taoiseach intend to do to address the void?

Given that hundreds of paramedics and ambulance personnel have been forced out onto cold picket lines today, who, by a 98% vote, have chosen to join the National Ambulance Staff Representative Association, NASRA, will the Taoiseach instruct the HSE to deal with the union?

There are two essential issues here. One is that it is not about what the boss or employer wants. It is meant to be about which union the worker chooses to represent him or her. Second, the Taoiseach cannot go around bragging about being the best performing economy in Europe and finding €500 million in extra corporation tax, but then telling workers that they must put up with pay restraint and health cuts. This week it is health workers. Next week it will be nurses.

Deputy Coppinger, be reasonable now.

The Taoiseach has to give in.

Deputy Cullinane has a similar brief question.

Why are the Government and the HSE allowing a situation whereby ambulance paramedics are being dictated to as to which trade union they should be members of? A person is entitled legally in this State to join a trade union of his or her choice. Yet, in this situation, ambulance paramedics are on strike because the HSE will not recognise the trade union to which they belong. That has a consequence for patients, who are without full ambulance cover because of the position the Government and the HSE seem to be supporting. The Taoiseach needs to act on this quickly.

Let the Taoiseach answer, Deputy Cullinane. Deputy Pearse Doherty has a similar question.

It is on the same issue. The Taoiseach told us he was going to take a special interest on the issue of health. This morning I sent solidarity messages to the workers, the paramedics and ambulance personnel, who are on strike demanding union recognition of their choice. What personal interest did the Taoiseach take in this issue? The HSE is simply refusing to deal with the issue. The HSE is simply refusing to meet NASRA to discuss contingency planning.

In the middle of all this are patients, especially in rural and isolated communities, who are fearful that if something does happen, the service would not be there. This is happening on the Taoiseach's watch. Those responsible have warned the Taoiseach they will escalate unless this is dealt with. The Taoiseach should take an interest and sort this out.

Deputy Pat Buckley wishes to speak on the same issue. I think this has got a fair airing. Please respect the limit of 30 seconds, Deputy Buckley.

Today, more than 500 paramedics and ambulance staff have gone on strike over the row with union recognition. This is the real story. I listened to one paramedic this morning on Cork's 96FM. She clearly stated that the workers did not want to go on strike. More important, she said that while she and many others love their jobs and what they do, they had no choice. She continued by saying it should be the right of all workers to nominate the trade union of their choice to represent them in negotiations for wages and, more important, working conditions.

We have got the question.

If we cannot get the HSE to work with NASRA and the Psychiatric Nurses Association, then we will face more strikes. The knock-on effect of this will be absolutely atrocious.

The Taoiseach to respond.

Let us think about this. These people love what they do but we are not giving them proper representation or even a choice.

This has been well aired. The Taoiseach to respond.

As I understand it, any worker, even someone who is not in employment, is free to join a trade union if he or she so wishes. However, it is not a requirement that any employer, whether a public employer or a private employer, has to collect the union dues on behalf of that union and nor is it a requirement that the employer necessarily recognise that union.

That was not the question.

As things stand, the HSE recognises three unions already that represent paramedics and ambulance staff. They are all unions affiliated to ICTU. The Government engages with the union movement through ICTU.

Is the Taoiseach saying he only deals with ICTU?

Sorry, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, on a point of information-----

No, hold on.

On a point of information, there is recognition for non-ICTU unions and the Taoiseach knows that.

No, Deputy. I do not need it. I have given it a fair airing.