Health minister Simon Harris criticises Siptu strike plans

Health Minister Simon Harris has criticised Siptu’s decision to ask 30,000 health workers to go on strike over pay issues early next year, saying: “I don’t think a strike will help anybody”.

Mr Harris urged the union and HSE to meet “in the coming days” as he claimed a separate strike by 40,000 nurses could still be resolved before it begins next month.

Speaking to reporters at a nursing recruitment drive at the HSE’s headquarters in Dr Steevens’ Hospital in Dublin, Mr Harris said he “regrets” both union decisions and urged the sides to find a resolution.