More than 300,000 workers strike across the Republic of Ireland

More than 300,000 workers, including nurses, doctors, teachers and civil servants, are on strike across the Republic of Ireland, according to the BBC.

The 24-hour walkout is part of an ongoing pay dispute between public-sector workers and the Irish government. A further strike is planned for 21 October.

Schools are expected to close, hospital appointments are likely to be cancelled and picket lines are being formed across the country.

The action follows work-to-rule measures introduced at the end of September by more than 100,000 workers, including nurses, school staff and civil servants. Primary and secondary school teachers began similar action at the start of October.

Almost 97% of members of Fórsa, the Republic’s largest public-service union, voted in favour of industrial action.

Brendan O’Brien, a divisional organiser for SIPTU, which represents public-sector health and administration workers, previously said employees’ “goodwill” played a major part in keeping public services running. He said the government’s failure to establish a basis for formal talks had “left our members with no alternative but to act collectively”.

On Tuesday, Jack Chambers, the Republic’s minister for expenditure, called the strike “deeply disappointing”. He said it would significantly disrupt the economy, with thousands of hospital appointments set to be cancelled and schools closed.