Harney denies running scared from nurses’ conference

The Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney has insisted that she is not running scared from nurses angered by her handling of the health service.

Ms Harney has been criticised by the Irish Nurses Organisation for not attending its annual conference this week due to a previous engagement in the United States.

However, Ms Harney insisted today that she would be happy to address the three-day conference, but was only invited to do so on Friday, when she will not be in the country.