Thousands of nurses are expected to attend a meeting in Dublin tonight to demand better pay and working conditions.
The nurses and midwives are meeting at the Clarion Hotel, Liffey Valley, to discuss continuing labour disputes.
More than 40,000 members of the Irish Nurses Organisation and Psychiatric Nurses Association are being balloted on their campaign on improvements in pay and the introduction of a 35-hour working week.
The ballot seeks the membership's endorsement of a plan that includes talks with all political parties and individual TDs and senators, a nationwide work-to-rule on a date to be determined, and, if necessary, withdrawal of labour for short periods on a regional basis; emergency services would be maintained.
Balloting will continue in workplaces and INO offices until January 31st, with a result due to be announced on February 2nd.
Last week, almost 2,000 nurses attended meetings in Cork, Tullamore, Donegal, Galway and Limerick, with thousands more attending meetings in Carrickmacross, Kilkenny and Tralee this week.
Union leaders have already held talks with a number of politicians including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.