The alternative coalition has pledged to eliminate A&E overcrowding within two years of being elected through a series of "common sense, short-term measures".
Fine Gael and Labour today published joint proposals to tackle the problem which includes the provision of 1,500 step-down beds for people who no longer require acute hospital care.
The measure is primarily aimed at taking elderly convalescing patients out of acute hospitals to free up beds and reduce A&E bottlenecks.
The parties claim the current crisis in A&E units is "the most visible manifestation of the problems" facing the health service. They said solving the crisis would be "an absolute priority" if elected to govern.
Their proposal would see the establishment of up to 15 urgent care centres across the State to treat relatively minor medical and surgical problems, as an alternative to patients going to A&E units.
The proposals include a measure to keep drunks out of emergency units and in medically supervised "wet rooms".
There would also be a greater provision of out-of-hours GP and pharmacy services and the establishment of a 24-hour emergency helpline to advise patients on where to access their nearest GP out-of-hours service.
"For the past number of years in A&E departments around the country, seriously ill patients have had to endure long periods on trolleys often in overcrowded, noisy, dirty conditions with no privacy and little dignity," said Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny.
"Despite hand-wringing and tough talking by the Government, the problems in our A&E departments remain the same as we face another winter.
"Our plan to tackle the A&E crisis is comprehensive. This issue will be at the top of our agenda."
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said: "This Government has had nine years and billions of taxpayers' money to tackle the crisis in A&E, what patients have now is a national emergency".
Mr Rabbitte said: "The people on trolleys are not statistics; they are your elderly mother, your grandfather, your child. The way our people are treated in A&E is simply unacceptable in a civilised country.
"Tackling the A&E crisis is not rocket science. It requires a combination of coherent policy, determination and a little imagination. Providing a separate queue for minor injury cases, and decent accommodation for people awaiting admission to hospital are simple proposals, but they will make a significant impact."
