The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has warned of possible industrial action if adequate measures including pay increases to address staff shortages are not implemented.
Arriving for talks with health service management, the General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Phil Ni Sheaghdha said the issue of potential disruption "is now in the Government's hands".
The INMO has sought an across-the-board pay rise of up to 12% to bring them into with grades including physiotherapists and radiographers.
However, the Public Service Pay Commission report published earlier this month ruled out across the board pay increases, recommending instead targeted allowances to address staff shortages in specific areas.
The INMO has disputed those findings, and is today meeting health employers to hear their proposals to address staff shortages.
The INMO has called a Special Delegate Conference for 26 September to examine Government proposals - but if they are deemed unsatisfactory, industrial action has not been ruled out.
The health employers will meet the Irish Medical Organisation representatives later today to discuss recruitment and retention issues regarding doctors.
