Enda Kenny warns nurses that strike ‘will not help anyone’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has warned nurses that an imminent strike over Ireland’s ongoing hospital trolley crisis “will not help anyone” as he insisted the problem is being addressed and “the numbers speak for themselves”.

Speaking during the latest Dáil leaders questions, the Fine Gael leader —who once promised while in opposition, “I’ll be the person who ends the scandal of patients on trolleys” — said while challenges remain the Government’s plan to address the problem is working.

Responding to criticism after 92% of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s members voted in favour of industrial action on December 15, Mr Kenny said “we’re a long way” from previous crisis levels.