The planned strike by nurses will go ahead tomorrow as scheduled, as last-minute talks to avert it collapsed last night.
Over 35,000 nurses will down tools for 24 hours tomorrow, in a bitter row over poor pay and dire working conditions at Irish hospitals.
Medical facilities are understood to be bracing themselves for the impact of the strike, as it happens to coincide with some of the coldest weather this winter, which may lead to increased admissions.
The row continues.