Minister for Health Mary Harney has launched a stinging attack on health service staff and their attitude to work practices.

Surgery will resume in Kerry General Hospital today after electricians, suspended during a row over the changing of a lightbulb, restored emergency cover.

A row between the Health Service Executive and electricians must be resolved immediately so patients are not further inconvenienced, Tánaiste Brian Cowen today told the Dáil.

The HSE says it has already been forced to cancel a number of operations at Kerry General Hospital due to the dispute with electricians in the south of the country.