Members of the Gardaí interact with the Health Services in a number of key areas including securing accident sites, assisting with individuals suffering severe mental trauma and, unfortunately, sometimes maintaining order in overcrowded Emergency Departments or responding to violent situations in other healthcare settings.

The IMO, which represents the entire medical profession in Ireland, urges the Government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the health service is not adversely impacted should members of An Garda Siochana undertake industrial action.

It is incumbent on the Government to ensure that adequate steps are taken during contingency planning to assure that this vital support is maintained during any industrial action.