Angry nurses and midwives have warned the Government against making any cuts to pay or allowances.
They have said that allowances are protected under the Croke Park deal - even though the Government is seeking an overhaul of this type of public sector payment.
The union said that they signed up to industrial relations peace - in return for the protection of pay rates.
And delegates at the INMO conference are warning that a reduction in allowances may be the final straw:
"This is the year of the dragon, we as nurses need to become dragons and breath fire out of our mouths and say to the HSE and the powers that be enough is enough is enough", said one delegate.
"If they touch my pay as I say for what I am doing now I cannot possibly account for what I will do next", said another.
