STAND-BOFF

Taoiseach urges medical scientists to quit strike & rejoin to pay talks

- FERGHAL BLANEY

TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has urged medical scientists to call off their strike and resume pay talks.

But the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association urged him to intervene in their long-running row with the HSE.

They are essential cogs in the service and carry out vital procedures including Covid and blood tests.

There are more than 2,000 of them in the health service and their demands include better pay and career progression prospects.

After staff joined pickets outside hospitals yesterday, Mr. Martin urged them to return to the negotiating table.

He told TDs: "I take the opportunity to recognise the hugely important work, the vital work carried out by medical scientists and their role in respect of the functioning of our health service.