Prison doctors could decide to resign en massewhen they meet later today.
They are furious at the Irish Prison Service for introducing Army doctors as cover after they refused to perform duties other than emergency work in a dispute over pay.
The row escalated when the Prison Service introduced the Army doctors to treat prisoners in need of "urgent medical attention". However, prison doctors had been providing the same cover previous to the since the industrial action began three weeks ago.
The Prison Service said it had no option in deploying Army medics, saying transfers to hospital A&E units had increased since the action began.
It said there were "particular difficulties" in the treatment of prisoners in need of drug treatment and psychiatric care.
The Prison Service says the full-time doctors are paid an annual salary of €95,000 and that they are seeking an increase to €130,000. The part-time doctors are paid on a pro-rata basis.
Three full-time doctors and 22 part-time doctors are involved in the dispute and are members of the Irish Medical Organisation. They will meet today at 4 p.m. and outcome to their discussions about an hour later.