The Tánaiste and Minister for Health has described the crisis in the country's A&E departments as a national emergency.
Mary Harney also announced a series of measures to improve patient care. She was speaking after the first meeting of the new Health Service Executive task force set up to tackle the crisis.
Among the new measures announced is the provision of more beds for A&E areas to ensure that old people do not sleep overnight on trolleys.
Diagnostics and tests are to be provided at weekends and evenings. People will be discharged each day of the week to keep beds available. The private sector will be used where necessary.
The Irish Nurses Organisation welcomed the Tanaiste's comments but said further capital investment is also needed.
Professor Brendan Drumm of the HSE said the A&E taskforce would get the full backing to deliver its short and medium term objectives.
