In 1989, the Labour Court recommended that student midwives at Coombe/Rotunda Hospitals be paid half the loss they incurred when they were not paid during block-release study periods. The recommendation was signed on 12 December 1989. The Irish Nurses Organisation said the hospitals had reduced national pay rates without negotiating with the union. Coombe/Rotunda Hospitals cited budget pressures and said students had been told about the arrangements before starting their training. The Court said the reduction to the students' basic national rates was unique in the service and should have been negotiated with the union, despite being included in individual contracts. It also noted the union's delay in raising the issue and recommended talks with the hospitals about arrangements for future intakes.