Opposition blames Health Minister for A&E strike

The Labour Party has attacked Health Minister Micheal Martin over his failure to deal with the crisis in accident and emergency departments.

Around 900 nurses began a two-hour stoppage and a work-to-rule protest today, but Minister Martin described the action as unnecessary and said a process is in place to deal with staff grievances.

However, nurses on the picket line said that talks on overcrowding in A&E units have been ongoing for years, but nothing has been done to address the situation.

Labour’s Liz McManus said Micheal Martin must take the blame for today’s industrial action.

"Had the Minister for Health put the same effort into dealing with the crisis in A&E departments that he put into running an unnecessary referendum campaign, we would not have the crisis we now have today," she said.

Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell also joined the criticism, saying Mr Martin must take action rather than setting up more forums.