The National Ambulance Service has announced plans for cover on Tuesday, as some staff are to stage a strike.

Members of National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) "voted overwhelmingly" to back the move in a dispute over representation rights and the deduction of union subscriptions from payroll.

Around 500 Emergency Medical Technicians, who are NASRA members, will stop working from 7.00am until 5.00pm.

The dispute centres around the HSE's refusal to recognise NASRA - an affiliate of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) that was established in 2010.

The National Ambulance Service has said it is committed to maintaining positive industrial relations with all staff.

It recognises SIPTU, UNITE and FORSA for staff in the service - in particular SIPTU is the recognised trade union for front-line staff.

It said its focus is to ensure that service and care delivery is not compromised in any manner.

It said detailed contingency plans have been put in place for Tuesday.

SIPTU has confirmed that it expects its members will work as normal on Tuesday.

The PNA has also confirmed it will not be calling upon members of other unions to participate in the strike.

Managers who are qualified paramedics will also be carrying out front-line duties.

The Department of Defence has made a number of crewed ambulances available, while the PNA has confirmed emergency cover will be provided where necessary.