Nurses in mullingar to ballot on industrial action next week

Nurses at the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar will ballot for industrial action from Monday next week.

They are looking for looking for more staff, more beds, and improved working conditions.

Yesterday, Tuesday, 27 patients were waiting for a bed.

Last week members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation held a lunchtime protest describing overcrowding as "horrific" in the hospital.

Derek Reilly, INMO spokesperson, said he is referring the dispute to the Labour Relations Commission.

"We're hoping they can help us with opportunity to recruit more staff. Nurses need to be offered proper contracts and permanent positions."

- The ballot will take place over 1 - 2 weeks.