The Health Service Employers Agency has told nurses' unions that taking industrial action will not help to resolve the pressure facing accident and emergency departments across the country.
Yesterday, the Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) and SIPTU warned they would consider industrial action if the crisis at accident and emergency departments was not rectified.
Overcrowding at A&E units eased yesterday as a request by the North Eastern Health Board and other health boards for patients to stay away unless in the case of emergency remained in place.
However, further elective surgeries are due to be suspended again today following the cancellation of more than 100 elective operations yesterday.
The INO has referred the matter to the Labour Relations Commission which will hold a special meeting later this week to examine staffing issues related to the accident and emergency crisis.
Both the Irish Hospital Consultants Association and the Federation of Irish Nursing Homes claimed that up to private beds 250 were available in nursing homes in the ERHA region.