Negotiations between the Government and the social partners aimed at finalising a new national wage agreement have been abandoned until tomorrow.
Talks were expected to conclude this weekend, with the exception of farming issues.
However, social issues proved an obstacle to agreeing a new national pay deal. Much of the focus has been on employment standards, and union officials acknowledged that the social side of the agreement has suffered as a result.
Partnership talks began in early February but have been hampered by efforts to underpin employment standards. Significant differences between employers and unions have also emerged during the course of the talks.
Negotiations should have begun last November, but were delayed because of the fall-out from the Irish Ferries crisis.
