The Irish Nurses and Midwives' Organisation is to proceed with a ballot of its emergency department members for industrial action on the issue of overcrowding.
The union's executive council met today and decided to seek a mandate from its emergency department members, for collective action, up to and including a withdrawal of labour.
The ballot will start next week.
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said he is disappointed with the INMO's decision to ballot.
He said: "Industrial action won't get a single patient off a trolley. We have a plan to address ED overcrowding which is currently being Implemented and which is supported by the INMO.
"I ask that all efforts be focused on working together to implement the plan."
Last month, the union said it would hold the ballot if the problems in emergency departments did not improve significantly in November.
It identified four areas for improvement, staffing, enhanced supports, senior clinical decision making and access to diagnostics.
Yesterday, the Emergency Department Task Force met to review the situation.
The Health Service Executive has identified around 455 new or closed beds to be opened in November and December to try and ease the situation.
There are 444 patients on trolleys in emergency departments or on wards today waiting for admission to a bed.
The hospital worst affected is University Hospital Limerick with 46 patients waiting.
Other hospitals badly affected are Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda with 38 patients waiting and St Vincent's University Hospital with 37.
The figures are compiled by the INMO.
