Talks between nursing unions and hospital management aimed at averting strike action by nurses over conditions in accident and emergency (A&E) departments have broken down.
Speaking after today’s meeting, Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) General Secretary Mr Liam Doran said: "The INO outlined in detail its 10-point plan, to alleviate the A&E difficulties. However, nothing emerged from this meeting which would enable the INO to defer the proposed industrial action."
The INO and the Health Service Employers Association (HSEA) will meet again on March 8th.
The INO has said its members intend to stage work-to-rule stoppages, starting on March 13th, in protest at overcrowding and excessive workloads at hospital casualty wards.
A vote by nurses on Tuesday showed 93 per cent were in favour of the action.
The action will begin with a two-hour work stoppage between midday and 2 p.m., after which a work-to-rule involving the withdrawal of nurses from clerical and administrative duties will commence.
A three-hour work stoppage is planned for Wednesday, March 20th, if the issues have not been addressed, the INO said.