The Labour Party has sought assurances from the Tánaiste and Minister for Health that patients will be protected following the decision of hospital consultants to ballot for industrial action.
The party's health spokeswoman, Ms Liz McManus, said Ms Harney must make every effort to resolve the issue of consultants' historic liabilities with the Medical Defence Union (MDU).
"The decision taken yesterday by hospital consultants to ballot for industrial action is a very serious development. It is very disappointing but it is not surprising given that the issue has dragged on for over 12 months," Ms McManus said.
"It is vital that the discussions between the legal teams from both sides will be productive.
"I have tabled an oral parliamentary question to the Minister for Health which will be answered on Thursday, seeking a full report on progress.
"In the meantime, the Tánaiste Mary Harney must give a categorical assurance that patients and doctors will be protected throughout these negotiations and any possible industrial action."
Members of the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association will begin balloting today on whether to pursue strike action from March 14th. Nearly 90 per cent of members of the Irish Medical Organisation have already voted in favour of industrial action.
Some 50,000 elective operations and out-patient appointments will be cancelled every week and emergency cover only will be provided if the strike goes ahead.
The consultant's dispute centres on who will provide them with insurance cover if they are sued for alleged malpractice arising out of past incidents.
Many doctors had paid subscriptions to the MDU and believed these premiums would cover them in such an event. But since the State introduced a new way of insuring such consultants last February, the MDU has said it does not have the funds to cover all consultants for historic, but as yet unreported, claims.