Nurses are to decide whether to ballot for industrial action at a meeting in Dublin today.

The number of people on trolleys around the country last month was 17% higher than the same month last year.

The INMO say that today's meeting will look at the issue of overcrowding and how it affects nurses and patients.

General-Secretary Liam Doran says that they are being stretched, and industrial action is being considered.

Meanwhile a Dublin surgeon is predicting 'absolute unadulterated chaos' in Irish hospital Emergency Departments this winter.

Michael O'Keeffe, who works at the Mater and Temple Street Hospitals, says the pressure on the system is much worse than it has ever been.

He claims the problem is that thousands of beds have been taken out of the system over time and they have never been replaced.

His warning comes as nurses from Emergency Departments around the country gather in Dublin to discuss the issue.

He told Newstalk Breakfast that making beds available should be the number one priority.

Mr O'Keeffe added the picture for the winter ahead looks bleak for the public.