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The healthcare crisis is escalating as the nurses and midwives remain on strike for another day this week.

The impact on tens of thousands of patients is causing chaos, as members of the public are asked not to use out of hours GP services as hundreds of doctors gather for a protest in Dublin.

News has since emerged that a rally will take place this Saturday, allowing members of the public to support the nurses and Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

Over 35,000 nurses and midwives voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action late last year, with their first 24-hour stoppage taking place on January 30 and second strike occurring yesterday.

The Facebook post reads; "Join the nurses' protest, called by the INMO, this Sat 12.30pm Parnell Square Dublin. Leo Varadkar and the Fine Gael led government are refusing to negotiate with the nurses."

It continues, "They are ignoring the huge public support for their legitimate claims. Most of us know that nurses deserve equality of treatment with other professional grades, better pay will help ease the recruitment crisis and that means better patient care in our hospitals."

"Nurses do not want to strike – they would prefer to care for their patients. We can help by turning our sympathy into a major display of solidarity." it concludes, calling on the public to text their numbers to join the rally at the Garden of Remembrance.

Further strike action is expected to take place on February 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, and 21, which is sure to affect a huge amount of patients.

Patients are being asked by the National Association of GP Co-ops to travel to emergency departments, or to wait to see their own GP if any ailment is experienced.

Other disruptions include the cancellation of outpatient appointments, non-urgent surgery, and respite, rehabilitation, and day centre services. An estimated 50,000 patients in the past week were affected.

Another strike is expected tomorrow, with up to 75,000 people likely to be affected. 

As of last night, there appears to be little hope of resolving the pay dispute, with the INMO accusing the Government of “recycling” ideas and calling on them to “come to the table unconditionally”.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar admitted that direct contact should have been made with nursing unions regarding further talks at the Workplace Relations Commission to resolve their dispute, instead of through a press release.

He responded to critique from  Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who claimed the statement was an "appalling and a pathetic way" to approach the dispute.

Yesterday, the Fine Gael Government issued a statement saying it was willing to engage in talks on issues other than pay to try to overcome the nurses' strike.

General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Phil Ni Sheaghdha said the Government had not communicated directly with the unions.

Adult mental health services are also coming under huge strain today and tomorrow due to a ban on overtime, including night rosters, as members of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) engage in industrial action. 

Doctors will join the disagreement by heading to the Dáil to protest at conditions and pay cuts, which was organised by the National Association of General Practitioners.

Other aspects of the healthcare crisis involve a lack of beds, and the disastrous cost of the new National Paediatric Hospital, which sum now stands at €1.7 billion.

Feature image: Extra.ie

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Kate O'Connell, a Fine Gael TD for the Dublin Bay South constituency, has lodged a formal complaint against a non-elected senior party figure, who she claims is engaging in online abuse.

It's reported that the man in question has used slurs and offensive language against women on social media, with a particular emphasis on the topic of the Eight Amendment. 

According to The Irish Examiner, concern around his behaviour was raised at the weekly party meeting last night as Kate O'Connell highlighted the severity of his actions by circulating a five-page print out of his offensive tweets.

It's understood that the member is a non-elected official who holds an important role in the party.

Fine Gael candidate, Stephanie Regan, added: “I don’t think he has respect for women. I think it certainly has to be addressed by the party.”

She continued: “I was thinking, ‘Does he realise that in every second tweet he is using the word bitch?’ I think that he has an unfortunate lack of awareness about how he comes across and maybe how he feels about women.”

After making the formal complaint to general secretary Tom Curran, Ms O'Connell asked her party colleagues for their support.

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Finding The One can be a tough slog. As can finding The One You Want To Vote For.

Well, now you can combine those two searches (kinda) with one app – TDer. Like Tinder, you can swipe through profiles of different men and women looking to get your attention and fill your ears with sweet nothings.

Unlike Tinder, they don't want to date you. They just want your vote.

Okay, Irish digital agency Friday might have been having some cheeky fun when they invented TDer, with its Tinder-esque profile for each General Election candidate, but we reeeally wish it was real.

After all, who could say no to this beautiful face (and mountain of chest hair)?

Or Mr. Inda Kinny himself?

Joan also gets a look-in…

Oh, and she liked us back:

Gerry got his pet goat in for his profile pic…

And Lucinda's still looking for love…

Check out TDer yourself here, and who knows, you could find your (political) match.

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