The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has launched a public petition calling on the Government to increase the pay of nurses and midwives in order to ensure safe staffing levels in the health service.

The organisation said that since it announced details of its upcoming strike action, it has been ‘inundated' with messages of support.

INMO members are set to go on strike for 24 hours on January 30, after 95% voted in favour of such action last month. If this dispute continues, there will be further 24-hour strikes on February 5, 7, 12, 13 and 14.

During these times, nurses and midwives will withdraw their labour, providing only lifesaving care and emergency response teams. This will be only the second time that INMO members have gone on strike in the organisation's 100-year history. The last strike was in 1999.

"We have been inundated with kind messages of support. Many have come from nurses in other countries, fellow trade unionists, and colleagues throughout the health service.

"But nurses and midwives have been especially touched by the kind words of current and former patients. Our working lives are dedicated to our patients, so it is deeply humbling and rewarding to know that patients have our backs when we need their support," commented INMO president, Martina Harkin-Kelly.

She encouraged anyone who supports the nurses' current action to sign the petition at StandWithUs.ie