Nurses across the city continued their protests yesterday in varying states of optimism about future talks.
At Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, the 10 picketers said they were optimistic but wary about the negotiations to end the strike, but said the continued public support was helpful.
"We've just been invited to tea at a house across the road, so there's no problem with food," said Ann, who declined to give her surname. Others admitted the strike was proving to be a financial hardship, but said they felt the end results would prove the action worthwhile.
Jackie, who also did not want to reveal her surname, said she had worked two regular shifts in the hospital since the beginning of the strike. "We are not looking to be paid for this work. It was known weeks in advance that we might not be paid, so my husband is working overtime."
Some said they had made special arrangements with mortgage lenders and other creditors, but "institutional generosity will not last for ever."
Nurses at St Luke's in Rathgar declined to comment on the tense situation there. The hospital, the national cancer treatment centre, has asked to be exempted from the strike because many outpatient treatments have been cancelled or deferred, but nurses say they are providing enough coverage.
Other picketers found themselves in a more humorous situation. The Minister for Health, Mr Cowen, was stuck in a traffic jam outside St Michael's Hospital in Dun Laoghaire yesterday. He was with his family. A few pleasantries were exchanged and traffic - mercifully for the Minister - cleared quickly.