Progress reported after union talks with Martin

Progress has been reported in talks between union officials and the Minister for Health this afternoon.

Commenting afterwards Mr Martin said that it was a "constructive meeting" in which the ICTU was briefed on the issues being discussed between the Eastern Regional Health Board and the Dublin Area Teaching Hospitals.

Plans were also announced for further meetings between the Department of Health, the ERHA and DATHs at the end of next week.

A process of "regular consultation" between the Department and the ICTU, as originally outlined in Sustaining Progress, was also agreed upon.

ICTU organised the meeting at the request of the unions representing nurses and clerical and administrative staff who feel bed closures and cuts in funding are contributing to a crisis in the State's health services.

In attendance was ICTU General Secretary Mr David Begg, SIPTU president Mr Des Geraghty, and the General Secretary of the Irish Nurses Organisation, Mr Liam Doran. Representatives from the INO and IMPACT also attended.