Impact not to co-operate on Harney queries

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS:MEMBERS OF the union Impact will refuse to co-operate with Minister for Health Mary Harney when she requests information for answers to parliamentary questions put by Government deputies.

The Department of Health and Children receives some 20 per cent of all parliamentary questions put down by deputies, although the vast majority are asked by Opposition TDs.

However, Impact’s national secretary, Kevin Callinan, warned this refusal by members in the Health Service Executive, public voluntary hospitals and certain health agencies to co-operate with representatives of the Government parties could be extended. He claimed Impact “had some pressure from union branches” to issue an instruction to members not to co-operate with representations by Fianna Fáil and Green TDs and councillors on behalf of constituents. He said this could include representations on issues such as medical cards and housing grants.

The parliamentary affairs division of the HSE processes parliamentary questions and representations referred by Ms Harney for direct reply to Oireachtas members.

An instruction to refuse to process Freedom of Information requests from representatives of Government political parties has also been issued to Impact members employed by the HSE, public voluntary hospitals and certain health agencies.

Mr Callinan outlined the measures in an e-mail to members, adding: “Breaches of this instruction will be treated as equivalent to strike-breaking and the use of non-union labour to undermine the effectiveness of the action will result in immediate further action.” Yesterday he said care had been taken to ensure that action would not affect the public, particularly in the health service.

A spokesman for Ms Harney had no comment last night.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Department of Finance said: “All staff are expected to carry out the duties attributed to their grade. Senior management will monitor the situation in relation to any industrial action taken.”