Doctors' strike now 'inevitable', IMO claims

Junior doctors are a step closer to strike action this morning after talks between the IMO and the HSE failed to reach an agreement.

Representatives of the Irish Medical Organisation and the Health Service met last night to try to resolve a dispute over working hours.

The IMO says some junior doctors work up to 100 hours every week – more than double the legal limit.

It says strike action now appears to be "inevitable".

The IMO's Assistant Director of Industrial Relations, Eric Young, claims that the strike will come into effect by the end of September if it proceeds.

"Under existing arrangements, we probably give two weeks notice of strike action," he said.

"So any action that does take place will probably happen two weeks or thereabouts after a notification is issued to the HSE."