Both sides prepared to talk to prevent stoppages by nurses at seven hospitals
The nurses union and the HSE have signalled they are prepared to enter talks to prevent a strike in hospital Emergency Departments next week.
The rolling two-hour stoppages at seven hospitals are due to go ahead on Thursday next week.
The strike was announced after nurses voted against the deal that averted industrial action last month.
The HSE says it is hopeful discussions with nurses can prevent industrial action.
General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Liam Doran, says the HSE will have to prove they can tackle overcrowding.
He said: "We're always available for talks and discussions, but I think actions will speak louder than any set of words on a paper, because the last two or three days have been extrmely disheartening for ED nursing staff.
"They have once again faced massive levels of overcrowding with record numbers of people on trolleys with no beds for them."
The seven hospitals to take part in next week's stoppage are:
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin
Mercy University Hospital, Cork
Tallaght Hospital, Dublin
Cavan General Hospital
University Hospital Waterford
MRH, Tullamore
University Hospital, Galway
