A 24-hour ambulance strike is disrupting parts of the National Ambulance Service, with the HSE warning of delays for non-life-threatening calls until 8am Wednesday. In Ireland breaking news, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said criticism of the Government over the dispute is “very dishonest”, as pressure grows for fresh talks.
Almost 2,000 SIPTU members in the NAS are taking part in the stoppage in a row over pay, staffing and conditions. Emergency cover remains in place, and the 999 service is still operating, with priority being given to life-threatening incidents including cardiac arrest, respiratory emergencies and serious trauma.
Ambulance strike disrupts emergency response
The HSE said contingency plans have been agreed with unions to protect patient safety, but warned that lower-priority callouts may face delays. In Dublin, ambulance services operated by Dublin Fire Brigade are continuing as normal.
ALONE chief executive Sean Moynihan urged older people not to delay seeking help during the disruption. He said anyone with concerns should contact emergency services or their GP rather than waiting until a condition worsens.
Government and unions remain at odds
The Taoiseach said State funding for the ambulance service has increased by 41% since 2022 and staffing has risen by 28% to more than 2,600 workers. He also said a pay proposal linked to reform had been supported by union leaders before being rejected by members.
Union representatives and frontline staff say the dispute reflects deeper problems, including recruitment difficulties and the loss of experienced paramedics to better-paid private sector roles. Further strike action is planned for May 19 and May 26 if no deal is reached.
What patients should know
- Call 999 in any emergency
- Expect delays for non-urgent ambulance requests
- Contact your GP if you are unsure what to do
- Do not delay seeking help if symptoms worsen
Latest position
Opposition parties have blamed the Government for allowing the dispute to escalate, while ministers are urging unions to return to industrial relations processes. For more Ireland news, see our latest news Ireland coverage and browse our Ireland news blog for the Ireland daily digest, Ireland sports news, Ireland travel news and Ireland culture news.
The key takeaway from this Ireland breaking news story is clear: emergency cover remains in place, but patients with non-urgent cases may face delays unless the pay dispute is resolved quickly.
