Ambulance staff at Waterford resumed their industrial action this morning and will continue for the next four days, according to the UNITE union.

A number of key issues including working hours and break times have been raised in the build-up to this move. In addition, staff say that since the south east area was integrated in the National Emergency Operations Centre in Tallaght last summer, a number of problems have emerged.

These include emergency crews being deployed to non-essential duties, leaving little or no emergency cover in Waterford city and county.

UNITE held negotiations with the HSE yesterday but they say that the talks have failed to produce a mutually acceptable resolution. They stress however, that this will not have any adverse impact on patient safety.