Health Minister Simon Harris says he believes the dispute with nurses can be resolved but doing so will require some imagination.
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)His comments come as nurses and midwives stage a third day of strike action across the country.
Thousands of medical appointments have already been cancelled and three more strike days are planned for next week.
Amazing, fabulous nurses and midwives standing up for patient safety this morning at #Rathdrum, UH #Limerick, #Mullingar and St Finbarr's #Cork✊? #standwithnurses #standwithmidwiveshttps://t.co/ua8qW23Ea7 pic.twitter.com/fJGFo8CIXG
— Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (@INMO_IRL) February 7, 2019
Simon Harris seems to be staying optimistic about a resolution, saying the government is "sincere in its offer to want to talk and engage with nursing unions to reach a resolution to this dispute."
"I am confident this can be accomplished through further dialogue and engagement," he said.
Meanwhile the head of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has rejected criticism that patient safety is being put at risk as a result of the nurses strike.
General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha says the union's members are still providing cover on strike days.
"We're satisfied that the emergency services we're providing during the days of the dispute are providing the level of care that is required. What we're not satisfied about is the level of care that exists on an ordinary day and we know that that is high-risk and doesn't provide a safe level of care for patients. That's why midwives and nurses are protesting and on strike."
Cover image via @INMO_IRL/Twitter
