Talks In Ambulance Dispute Resume This Morning

Talks at the Labour Court aimed at resolving a pay dispute at the National Ambulance Service will resume this morning. SIPTU has described the discussions as "difficult" and said agreement has not yet been reached. "The Labour Court has asked the parties to return today as a final opportunity to try to resolve the dispute before next week's industrial action, which would involve a 72 hour work stoppage amid an ongoing work to rule according to the Union. The dispute over pay and conditions stems from accusations that the HSE has failure to implement the pay scale recommendations of an independent report in 2020. For their part, Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians and Ambulance staff claim the scope and duties of their roles has expanded in recent times but the pay has not matched this change. To find out the latest, Daragh Dolan was joined by Clooney-Quin based Orla Considine who is on the Midwest Irish Ambulance Representative Council.