Hospitals are warning of potential disruption to services once they get back up and running later.
Industrial action by nurses ends at 8am, but the HSE says there could be a surge in patients presenting at emergency departments.
INMO members will stage a further 24-hour strike next Tuesday, as their dispute with the government is no closer to a resolution.
Liam Woods, HSE Director of acute operations, says contingency planning for further strikes will begin today:
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