The Taoiseach will be aware that medical scientists in many HSE hospitals are due to strike tomorrow, which will have implications for patients and hospitals alike. Medical scientists provide 24-7 services in hospitals, and most of them have a science degree or a master's qualification. The action is in frustration over long-running pay and career development issues that are affecting recruitment and retention in the sector. The medical scientists will of course provide emergency cover, but elective surgeries will likely be impacted. Many of these patients have been waiting years for surgery.

One multiple sclerosis patient who is attending the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh is terrified that he will lose a hip replacement appointment for tomorrow. I ask the Taoiseach to raise this issue as a matter of urgency with the Minister for Health, ask for a fair settlement for medical scientists and ensure that any patients who are impacted will have their procedures rescheduled to the earliest possible date.

I thank Deputy Devlin for raising this important issue. I recognise the hugely important work and role of medical scientists in the proper functioning of our health system. I pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country.

The Medical Laboratory Scientists Association, MLSA, has a long-standing concern regarding to the pay and career structure of the medical scientist grade. It wants pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. Health sector management has been engaging with the MLSA regarding these issues under the existing public service agreement. The important point here is that the public service agreement group, which comprises union and Civil Service representatives and which has an independent chair, met on 11 May to consider this matter. They recommended that matter would be immediately referred to the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and that industrial-----

The Taoiseach’s time is up.

-----peace would be maintained in the meantime. While the MLSA has agreed to engage at the WRC, it has not agreed to lift its strike action, which is in breach of Building Momentum. I would appreciate it if - and I ask again that - the strike action be lifted in order to allow the process take its course.