Aontú supports the nurses

Aontú supports the nurses - McNicholl

Aontú's East Derry election candidate Doctor Sean McNicholl supports the nurses and their reasonable requests.

Dr. McNicholl stated:

The nurses' strike is unprecendented. For too long nurses have been overworked and underpaid. They have always been driven by their dedication to their vocation of helping anyone in need.

“But enough is enough. As someone who has worked in several hospitals across the north, I stand with our nurses. All they are asking for is equality with their counterparts in the other NHS regions. The main political parties’ repeated failure to stand up for nurses is responsible for the unacceptable conditions in which they have to work, and are therefore responsible for this unprecedented industrial action.

“We need to stem the steady drip of skilled nurses emigrating. Along with inequality in pay, the current situation means that nurses are carrying an unsustainable workload.

"Recently, the paediatric ward in Derry lost one of the best young nurses I have ever had the pleasure of working with, leaving her family and friends in the mouth of Christmas for better working conditions and a decent wage in Australia. We must act before the steady drip of emigrating nurses becomes a tide."

“Aontú is committed to supporting all healthcare workers. They are there for us when we need them; we are there for them when they need us. Support our nurses.”

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.