Independent Senator Lynn Ruane has said it is disrespectful for health staff to have to wear an essential worker pass with a cross on it in order to pass garda cordons by car during the visit of Pope Francis.
She said she had been contacted by employees at St James's Hospital about the issue.
In a message on social media, Ms Ruane said there was such a diverse workforce in hospitals of varying religions and none, and that the move was disrespectful.
However, a spokeswoman for the OPW told the Irish Times that all passes would have a "geographical indicator" to show what zone essential staff would have access to.
"The pass in question for Dublin shows an image of the steps and the Papal Cross which represents the closing event taking place in the Phoenix Park on Sunday 26 August," she said.
Medical staff along with other staff working this weekend in St James's have been advised of restrictions over the weekend due to the pope's visit.
They have been told this will have implications for travelling to hospital by car and the "essential worker pass" is required to pass the garda cordon around Dublin city.
The 'Pope Francis 2018 - Essential Worker Pass' has the Government of Ireland harp emblem on one side and an image of the papal cross on the right hand side.
Read more: The Pope in Ireland
I have been contacted by employees at St James's Hosp who are disgusted that they are required to wear a badge with a crucifix on it. They were told they can't go to work without it. We have such a diverse work force in hospitals of varying religions & none. Disrepectful pic.twitter.com/LxY3BbExxU
— Lynn Ruane (@SenLynnRuane) August 20, 2018
