Giving nurses a special bonus for working in Dublin would mean other civil servants will make similar demands, Minister for Health Mary Harney said today.
Ms Harney told the Oireachtas Health Committee that striking nursing organisations must process their grievances through proper industrial relations channels, like the Labour Court.
The Irish Nursing Organisation (INO) and Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) are mounting work stoppages at major hospitals later this month. They are demanding more pay, a 35-hour week and extra allowances for working in Dublin.
Mary Harney
Mr Harney said that if the Dublin weighting measure was conceded to, other civil servants like gardaí and teachers could also demand more money for working in the capital.
The requirement of a 35-hour working week was open to negotiation, she said but noted that the UK equivalent is 37 hours.
"These issues should be discussed in the appropriate fora in Ireland," she told the all-party body. She also said she hoped that nursing unions would sign up to the Towards 2016 national pay agreement. She added that work practices had to change to provide a better service for patients.
"It is very frustrating when diagnostic equipment cannot be used after a certain time because staff finish their shifts."
A majority of INO and PNA members has backed a campaign of industrial action, including a work-to-rule and a series of work stoppages, in an effort to address their concerns over pay and other working conditions.
Three lunchtime protests will take place later this month at Cork University Hospital; University Hospital Galway; the Mater hospital, Dublin; and Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Co Limerick.
The Taoiseach told the Dáil that the pay claims could cost up to €1 billion if they were sanctioned by the Government.
Ms Harney was making a quarterly appearance before the committee, along with Health Service Executive chief Prof Brendan Drumm and officials.
PA