The Health Minister has warned that there's no "consequence-free" way to give the country's nurses a pay rise.
Minister Harris has again insisted there can't be any changes to current pay agreements.
37,000 nurses and midwives are on strike across the country today in a protest over pay and conditions.
The striking nurses at Connolly are standing on the motorway flyover bridge. Getting lots of beeps from drivers below. pic.twitter.com/pHmq85WmhB
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) January 30, 2019
Simon Harris says there are some things they can offer, but a direct pay rise is not one of them:
There's a willingness on the side of government and management to find a resolution but we have to operate within that space - of not breaching the public service stability agreement. To do anything else would be grossly irresponsible. There is no consequence-free direct pay rise.
Meanwhile, the Sinn Fein leader has joined striking nurses on the picket line at the Mater Hospital in Dublin.
Mary Lou McDonald had a very clear message for the Health Minister:
Sort this out - cop on - get real - get involved and sort this out.
