HEALTH Minister James Reilly got the silent treatment today when he addressed the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation at the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny – but then caused a storm with a ‘don’t give up the day job’ job to a singing nurse
More than 350 delegates had decided not to react to a speech by the Minister.
However when he announced a new Chief Nursing Officer for the country, he did get an ovasion.
But as he left the room, an off-the-cuff remark led to boos and jeers from nurses.
Nigerian-born Dublin nurse Bolatito Aderemi – a 61-year-old nurse who has been in Ireland for 40 years – began to sing ‘All we are saying enough is enough’.
As he walked past on his way out of the huge conference room, Dr Reilly looked over at her and said: “Don’t give up the day job.”
Angry colleagues shouted ‘shame’ and ‘disgrace’ in reaction to the comment.
Dr Reilly later apologised to Ms Aderemi in a private meeting.
Ms Aderemi later told Donegal Daily: “He shook my hand and said he was sorry for any embarrassment caused. I accept his apology. That is what I do in life if someone apologises, you accept it.”
The INMO says it will strike if the Government legislates for pay cuts.
Dr Reilly told nurses and midwives however: “For the HSE, pay savings of €150m have to be achieved in 2013. On top of the many reforms and efficiencies designed to improve services and live within budget, pay savings must be made. Frankly, we’re between a rock and a hard place.
“As you know, over the last few weeks the Labour Relations Commission has been consulting with the public service unions to seek an agreed basis for making the savings needed in Health and other parts of the public service.
“If we can find such agreement, it would be so much better than an imposed solution. Those who depend on our health services must be able to rely on them, especially in times of great difficulty or personal crisis. I would ask your organisation to keep this imperative to the forefront in its deliberations.
“The Government remains committed to the most fundamental reform of our health care system since the foundation of the State.”