Nurses industrial action
Senator Devine interjected, and the Leader said talks on the nurses' strike were continuing and appealed for renewed dialogue and cooperation.
The Lansdowne Road agreement oversight group is meeting to discuss the decision of the INMO to take industrial action. As Leader of the House, I hope both sides will re-engage on the issue. There have been three weeks of discussions and I am led to believe by both sides that significant progress was made in those talks. I hope there will be further dialogue and appeal to both sides to engage in a spirit of co-operation because engaging in dialogue is important. All of us in this House understand the role of nurses and we want to work with them to achieve what it is they want to achieve.
Senators Gerard P. Craughwell and Neale Richmond raised the issue of Brexit. I will be happy to advance the case in favour of having a Brexit committee through the Committee on Procedure and Privileges which I am sure will look at the proposal made. It is very important that it be advanced.
Senator Rose Conway-Walsh raised matters of health, on which we had a debate yesterday.