The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is to ballot its members in the country's emergency departments.

It says the vote will seek a mandate for industrial action up to and including the withdrawal of labour.

It adds that the latest trolley watch figures confirm overcrowding is at record levels - with 7,971 admitted patients cared for on trolleys in October.

The INMO says the balllot is "in protest at the persistent, and deepening, levels of overcrowding in ED Departments across the country".

"Such a level of overcrowding and understaffing is posing significant risks for the health and safety of nurses working in those departments".

The INMO General-Secretary Liam Doran says: "Our members have had enough, we believe patients have had more than enough and a campaign of action, including industrial action, is now necessary to secure the necessary measures to alleviate this crisis".

While the Health Minister Leo Varadkar says: "I'm disappointed that the INMO Executive Council has decided to ballot. Industrial action won't get a single patient off a trolley".

"We have a plan to address ED overcrowding which is currently being implemented and which is supported by the INMO. I ask that all efforts be focused on working together to implement the plan".

The ballot is expected to be held on November 9th.