Talks that began yesterday morning at 11am, continued through the night, and into this morning, Friday 26th January. A deal has been negotiated. Union negotiators will brief affiliate unions at 10am this morning. 

Unions and Government representatives returned to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) yesterday following an invitation to meet under its auspices and to formally update the Commission on their respective positions.

385,000 workers stand to benefit from a potential agreement.

Talks were put on hold earlier this month after a pay offer by the Government side failed to take into account the increasing gap between wages and the rising cost of living. Talks were then paused to allow for reflection.

During this period the officers of the Public Services Committee continued to brief affiliate unions who approved wording for a ballot on industrial action if talks failed.

We will continue to update members with further information later today.

The four officers of the Public Services Committee of the ICTU are:
 
•    Chair: Kevin Callinan, general secretary, Fórsa
•    Secretary: John King, deputy general secretary, SIPTU
•    Vice chair: John Boyle, general secretary, INTO
•    Vice chair: Phil Ní Sheaghdha, general secretary, INMO

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