Good morning colleagues,

In today's news we include the statement issued by Fórsa yesterday about the pay restoration dispute in section 39 agencies. The Department of Health has committed that the HSE will bring forward a review of pay policy in these agencies and Fórsa said the decision to undertake the review meant that its proposed industrial action in the sector would be averted. Siptu says its planned industrial action will go ahead, in the form of a one day stoppage on 14th February.

The Irish Daily Mirror reports that a deal "that would see Ryanair recognise its Irish-based pilots’ union was in the balance on Tuesday night with the airline warning that Wednesday is D-Day." The airline announced yesterday that it had signed a union recognition deal with the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa).

Elsewhere, while reporting steady progress on its investigation, the Air Accident Investigation Unit’s final report into the crash of the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 116 helicopter is not expected to be issued for some time.

Meanwhile, the Government will finally ratify the UN Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities (CPRD). Ireland is the only EU member state not to have ratified the convention. A year long programme of events has been launched to mark 100 years since women got the vote, while a new audit has found that more than a quarter of trauma patients had to be transferred to a different facility for ongoing care in 2016 because the necessary services were not available on site.

And finally, your Moment of Zen. Today's Zen belatedly marks the passing of curmudgeonly lyrical genius Mark E Smith of The Fall. He was many things to many people but approachable, friendly and easy going were none of them. He was, however, totally wired. A bit like our department.

Have a good day.

Fórsa members' news bulletins

(published Tuesday 18th January)

• Health & Welfare
• Local Gov & Municipal Employees
• Education
• Services & Enterprises
• Civil Service

The next series of news bulletins will be published on Tuesday 6th February. Got a story? Get in touch.