Harney: INO pay deal demands unrealistic

Minister for Health Mary Harney has described the Irish Nurse’s Organisation proposals for a new pay deal as unrealistic.

Talks are due to begin between health employers and the INO over the €1bn deal to improve pay and conditions for nurses.

The INO is seeking a shorter working week for nurses, as well as basic pay increases and allowances for those working in Dublin.

But Mary Harney said today that the Government cannot meet these demands.

She said: “A 50% pay increase, which is what €1bn would be, is not affordable in the context of the Irish health service and clearly it would have enormous knock-on effects on every other public sector employee.”