The Labour deputy leader has called on the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, to intervene in the strike by public health doctors.
Speaking in the Dáil last night, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, said it was neither appropriate nor necessary for him to intervene in the strike. The action, in which up to 270 doctors are protesting over pay and work conditions, has entered its third day.
However, this morning, Labour's deputy leader and health spokesperson, Ms Liz McManus, said he could not stand by as the dispute continued.
She said that ministerial inaction so far had left the State without any public health personnel to monitor the outbreak of infectious diseases, particularly the SARS virus, which has claimed the lives of more than 100 people worldwide in the last four weeks.
Two probable cases of the SARS virus are being investigated in St James's Hospital in Dublin.
"The conflict involved here will have to be resolved sooner or later and it is up to the Minister for Health to break the logjam," Ms McManus said.
Ms McManus stressed the need for medical personnel and experts at the Disease Surveillance Centre to deal with any outbreak of the virus in Ireland.
"The need for such personnel is now pressing in the context of the holding of the Special Olympics," she said. Concern has been expressed that people travelling from regions where the virus is widespread may lead to further infections in Ireland.
The Special Olympics, to be held for the first time outside the United States, involves entrants from more than 160 countries. Over 35,000 participants and supporters will travel to Ireland for the Games, which begin on September 16th.
In addition to SARS, Ms McManus warned that recent outbreaks of meningitis and the winter vomiting virus, pointed to a greater need for the continual control and monitoring of such diseases.
Ms McManus warned that in the face of "non-existent" ministerial leadership, such monitoring and controls could not be put in place.