Forsa has organised the work-to-rule which affects all clerical and administrative staff in the health authority.

The discussions, around pay and issues related to recruitment and retention of on-call firefighters, ended overnight.

They say they'll respond to any "life at risk" calls despite the industrial action.

Councillor Peggy Nolan says the current demands on retained firefighters are simply unacceptable.

Deputy Clarke says these issues are not new and the problems have been known about for several years now.

The action by the medical scientists had led to the cancellation of thousands of tests and procedures across the country last week and today

The HSE says all decisions have been made in partnership with the service users.

The dispute emerged after the HSE decided to use agency workers for roles in helping service users to transition to Independent Living