Overcrowding at A&E units, staffing levels, and nurses' pay are set to dominate the annual Irish Nurses Organisation's (INO) conference tomorrow in Cavan.
The 350 delegates, representing 33,500 nurses and midwives, will also be critically reviewing the Tánaiste and Minister for Health's performance and her relationship with nurses and midwives.
INO general secretary Liam Doran said today he was "very disappointed" that Ms Harney would not be attending the three-day conference.
"For the first time in over 30 years, the serving Minister for Health and Children will not be attending the INO conference. The Tánaiste was invited in mid-January. We hope her absence is not as a result of the public position the INO has taken, on behalf of patients, nurses and midwives, on A&E overcrowding and other issues over the past 12 months," he said.
"We will be reviewing what tangible action the government is now taking arising from its declaration of 'a national emergency' with regard to overcrowding in A&E departments. I have no doubt our members will decide action, not just a dedicated task force, is what is required," he added.
Mr Doran said delegates would also be focusing on issues emerging from increased privatisation as well as pay and working hours.
The INO's Executive Council is meeting in relation to the pay campaign immediately before the conference begins tomorrow to consider the wording of an emergency motion that will be put before delegates on Thursday morning.