I also welcome Deputy O'Dea and his visitors to the Gallery. I hope he does not come back as a Minister any time soon but he is always welcome to the Gallery. I thank the 19 Members of the House for their contributions on the Order of Business. At the outset I will begin by complimenting the Cathaoirleach and the staff of the Seanad and the Houses of the Oireachtas on the organisation of the visit of an t-uachtarán, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. It was a wonderful occasion that showcased the work of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael but also highlighted the importance of allowing the Upper House to invite people of distinction to make an address. I commend all those involved on their involvement in the organisation of yesterday's event.

Ten Senators, including Senators Ardagh, Conway-Walsh, Nash, Byrne, Murnane O'Connor, Devine, Higgins, Colm Burke and Black, raised the issue of today's nurses' strike. On my own behalf and that of the Government, I will say we all respect and value the nurses who work in hospitals. They do a very difficult job, in many cases in very trying situations, in a very specialised and pressurised field. Significant recruitment has been undertaken in recent years, to the tune of 3,000 new recruits to the nursing profession. Nobody on this side of the House is contesting the value of the nursing profession and its importance in the delivery of a safe health system. However, the Government has a public sector agreement, to which the INMO signed up and agreed. There has been significant pay restoration for many public sector workers. If we breach the public sector pay deal for one organisation, there will be a knock-on effect. The Members opposite me will come in here every day the House sits looking for extra money for different areas and we will have a free-for-all. We benefit from collective pay bargaining. We respect the nurses and their right to go on strike. I have no issue with that whatsoever, but it is important to recognise that the cost implication would be €300 million. As the Taoiseach said yesterday, it is about being fair to all other public sector workers and patients and affordability.

On my own behalf and, as the Leader of the House, on behalf of Government, I will say it is imperative and important that we resolve this issue. As Senator Colm Burke stated articulately in his contribution, there are significant points that need to be addressed with regard to recognising degree qualifications, taxation, posts of responsibility and so on. That can be done. It is disappointing on one level that the machinery of the State opted out on Tuesday evening when it has a role to play in the resolution of this matter.