Harney urges nurses to abandon industrial action campaign

Minister for Health Mary Harney has again appealed to nurses to pull back from the brink and abandon their campaign of industrial action.

Nurses at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin, South Tipperary General Hospital and St Luke's psychiatric hospital in Clonmel have mounted a one-hour stoppage this morning as part of their campaign for improved pay and conditions.

They are still providing emergency services, but 28 operations at South Tipperary General Hospital have been postponed because of the action.

Asked about the matter in Dublin today, Ms Harney urged the leaders of the Irish Nurses Organisation and Psychiatric Nurses Association to adopt a less confrontational approach.

She said she wanted them to "reflect on how best we can advance the cause of reforming the Irish healthcare system in the interests of patients by working together".