The number of patients on trolleys in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) units of hospitals waiting for beds has fallen slightly from 422 to 406 overnight according to figures compiled by the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO).
The Health Service Executive (HSE) disputes the accuracy of the INO figures. In figures released this evening it says the total waiting for admission is 306, a decrease of 57 on the figure it published yesterday of 363.
The HSE claims that for the year to data the average figure nationally has been 242, with the highest figure for the year to date recorded yesterday.
"The figures are compiled after hospital rounds have been made, so as to give an accurate picture of those who are awaiting admission on each day," the HSE said in a statement.
However, INO General Secretary said it stands over its figures which reflect the numbers of patients waiting on trolleys for admission between 9 and 10 am this morning.
"The HSE's continued insistence on contesting these figures suggests it feels the HSE is a victim in all of these," said Doran.
"It's a facile argument. They need to drop the victim mode and get into action mode. Patients and staff are the only victims in all of this."
Doran said that just two weeks ago the INO reported there was 35 patients awaiting admission to Letterkenny General Hospital, including two people in ambulances returning to the hospital.
This figure was confirmed by local management but in that days figures the HSE said there was just five patients on trolleys at the hospital.
Tallaght Hospital continues to have the largest numbers waiting for admission this morning at 48, a reduction of two on yesterday's figures.
Other hospitals in the Dublin area with significant backlogs this morning include Beaumont (31), St Vincents University Hospital (26), and the Mater (18).
Outside the capital the hospitals with the largest number of patients awaiting admission are Naas General Hospital (32), Wexford General (30),Cork University Hospital (24) and Cavan General (25).