The Labour Relations Commission is to be asked to intervene to resolve overcrowding in the State's A&E departments amid confusion over the exact number of patients waiting on trolleys for treatment.
In a statement today, the Irish Nurses' Organisation said it was going to seek the help of the Commission in tackling the problem.
INO General Secretary, Mr Liam Doran said: "In view of the difficulties now being experienced by patients and staff, and the absence of any response from health service management, the INO is now contacting the Labour Relations Commission to ask it to convene an emergency meeting of the A&E Forum."
The organisation claimed a record 422 people were now waiting on trolleys to be treated in casualty units across the State, an increase of 73 on yesterday.
But the Health Service Executive disputed this figure saying the number was about 270 following the admission of 120 to various hospital wards today.
The HSE said hospitals in Dublin, Letterkenny and Wexford were particularly busy this afternoon but pressure had been significantly reduced in other parts of the country.
A spokeswoman appealed to the public not to attend A&E departments unnecessarily.
"People who were seriously ill or injured should of course go to their nearest A&E but those with minor injuries would be treated just as efficiently and more rapidly by their GP," she said.
"An increased incidence of respiratory illness is adding to existing pressures on hospitals," she added.
Opposition parties have again criticised the Government for failing to adequately tackle A&E overcrowding.
Labour's health spokeswoman, Ms Liz McManus, said an in-depth plan was needed to tackle bed capacity, staffing shortages and funding problems.