Nurses to vote on motion of no confidence in Mary Harney

Nurses are due to vote today on a motion of no confidence in the Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney.

The motion, which is up for debate at the annual conference of the Irish Nurses Organisation in Co Cavan, comes amid deteriorating relations between the INO and Ms Harney.

The delegates who arranged today's vote have accused Ms Harney of failing to take meaningful action to tackle the ongoing overcrowding crisis in accident and emergency departments.

They have also accused her of failing to properly manage the public health service and of adopting a negative and antagonistic attitude towards nurses.

Spokesman Liam Doran said last night that the INO was particularly angered by Ms Harney's assertions that the work practices of nurses and midwives are wasting taxpayers' money and delaying patient treatment.