Harney heckled by INO officials

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney was heckled by officials of the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) yesterday when she declared that patients were the only losers in their dispute over pay and working hours.

Around 400 INO members also refused to applaud before or after Ms Harney addressed their special delegate conference in Dublin. “I was not expecting a standing ovation. I was told not to expect that,” she said afterwards.

The minister insisted that the taxpayer could not be left with a large bill arising from the dispute. “The Government have entered into a pay agreement with other public servants and the wider workforce. As a matter of honour, the Government has to stand by that agreement and not unravel pubic sector pay policy.”