Harney warns nurses on industrial action

Minister for Health Mary Harney has warned nursing unions that they are putting patient care in jeopardy if they proceed with threatened industrial action on Monday.

Talks are underway at the National Implementation body between unions and the HSE on their claims for improved pay and working conditions.

It is an attempt to prevent a work-to-rule by nurses going ahead next week.

Minister Mary Harney has said the State's industrial relations procedures should be used to resolve this dispute.

"I would urge nurses and their representative organisations, the PNA and the INO to reflect again on the importance of staying within the industrial relations machinery of the state and particularly participating in benchmarking," she said.

"Obviously the talks over the last few weeks haven't yet resulted in any agreement. But I believe that putting patient care in jeopardy, which is what would happen, as a lot of elective surgery would have to be cancelled if the planned action goes ahead for Monday next."