The planned strikes by 43,000 nurses are still set to go ahead from 30 January after talks this afternoon failed to deliver a breakthrough.
Speaking after the meeting with the Public Service Stability Agreement Oversight Body, INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said there had been a very frank exchange of views.
Asked whether the Oversight Body had determined whether the nurses' claim was in breach of the current pay agreement - as contended by the Government - she said there had been a long exchange on that, and there would be further exchanges.
She noted that a further meeting between nursing unions and the employer side is scheduled for Monday.
However she stressed that in the meantime the INMO would prepare for the strikes which are 12 days away.
The Psychiatric Nurses Association did not attend today’s meeting. A spokesperson said there was a previously scheduled meeting of their executive.
The PNA is not affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
