A new patients' representative group officially launched today with a call for the reopening of 400 hospital beds as first step towards easing overcrowding in A&E departments.
Patients Together said the beds had been closed by the Government and called for the new Minster for Health, Ms Harney, to meet them to discuss the crisis in the health service.
The organisation was formed following a protest last Sunday outside Dublin's Mater Hospital against overcrowding in the A&E department.
The demonstration was organised by the family of Ms Kathleen Byrne (72). She had suffered a suspected series of strokes but was kept on trolley without necessary tests being carried out for over 72 hours.
The family brought their protest to Leinster House last Tuesday, where it received political and trade union support.
The Irish Nurses' Organisation also attended today's meeting at Dublin' Mansion House.
Separately, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) warned that with the onset of winter, overcrowding would worsen and new procedures were needed to alleviate A&E bottlenecks.
IMO President, Dr James Reilly said: "Constructive initiatives to reform and develop the health services should be provided with ring-fenced funding or we will simply stumble from one crisis to the next."
He also expressed concern about the health system's ability to cope with the increased admissions which occur as winter sets in.
Labour Party TD, Mr Joe Costello today said he would lead a protest outside the Mater tomorrow and noted the widespread concern about increased winter admissions.
"There was a time when patients backed up on trolleys in A&E departments was a problem that occurred on a couple of weekends each winter. Now it has become a permanent feature. A serious outbreak of influenza over this winter could bring the whole system crashing down," he said.