The Health Minister Simon Harris believes the dispute with nurses can be resolved but it will require some imagination.
A third day of strike action is underway, with three more strikes planned for next week.
Over 25,000 medical appointments have been cancelled, as nurses take to the picket lines.
Their dispute with the Government shows no sign of ending, with both sides holding firm on the issue of pay.
Thousands of appointments - including for outpatients and day surgeries - cancelled.
Injury units are closed, as are day centres for older people and those with disabilities, while community nursing and respite admissions will not take place.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said it is getting harder to reschedule the tens of thousands of appointments as the industrial action continues.
Some 37,000 INMO members are taking to the picket lines in their row over pay and staffing shortages.
They have said addressing pay is the way to attract and keep nurses.
The Government has said pay increases for nurses are included in the public sector pay agreement and conceding to the nurses demands would cost €300m.
Both sides last met at the Labour Court a week and a half ago - but it decided they were too far apart to intervene.
No talks have taken place since.
A Government offer of talks was rejected, as the proposed discussions would focus on "issues other than pay".
INMO General-Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha with nurses on the picket line talking to the media outside the building site of the new children's hospital in Dublin | Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
The general-secretary of the INMO, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, said no contact has been made since.
"No we've had no correspondence from Government, our members are resolute.
"They have given the answer to the Government's press statement - which was 'we'll talk about anything but pay'.
"Midwives who are here today and nurses on picket lines throughout the country understand (that) Ireland has now become a very uncompetitive area for recruitment and retention of nurses".
The nurses have also three consecutive days of strikes planned next week.
Health Minister Simon Harris | File photo
But Minister Harris told the Dáil he thinks it can be resolved.
"It is essential that industrial action comes to a halt as soon as possible - our Government is sincere in its offer to want to talk and engage with nursing unions to reach a resolution to this dispute.
"I am confident that this can be accomplished through further dialogue and engagement.
"I really hope after today's stoppage comes to an end, that there's a real intensity of engagement as we work together to try and avoid further disruption".
