Harney refuses to give ground in stand-off with nurses
Minister for Health Mary Harney is refusing to give any ground in her stand-off with nurses following their campaign for improved pay and conditions.
Speaking in Dublin today, Ms Harney said she regretted that patients were being inconvenienced and appealed to nurses to use established procedures to pursue their demands.
Eight health facilities across the country are due to be hit this week as part of a series of rolling work stoppages by the Irish Nurses Organisation and the Psychiatric Nurses Association.
The nurses are seeking a 10% pay rise and a 35-hour working week, but Ms Harney and the Health Service Executive are refusing to entertain their claims.
