Fórsa has lifted its suspension of industrial action in response to the HSE’s renewed imposition of a moratorium on recruitment, despite ongoing talks on a framework agreement. The action has been covered extensively this morning in the Irish Times, Independent and RTE. Fórsa's Ashley Connolly also spoke on Morning Ireland - You can listen back HERE.

A coalition of umbrella bodies representing hundreds of charities and voluntary organisations providing health and social services on behalf of the Government has written to the Taoiseach asking for an “urgent and immediate intervention” to the union's planned strike action. The charities and organisations involved have expressed their support for the pay claims and say they are badly needed to allow them to retain staff.

According to the Irish Times several Government departments have not yet agreed their spending settlements ahead of next week’s budget, setting up a frantic final few days of negotiations in Government.  

Discussions between Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and the four Garda staff associations are set to reconvene unexpectedly on Friday, raising hopes there could be a breakthrough in the protracted rosters dispute.

Ireland is experiencing an unusually warm spell, with temperatures set to reach the low-to-mid 20s over the weekend. John Sweeney, a climatologist and professor emeritus at Maynooth University, said October has been "part of a continuing exceptional summer" which has seen the warmest months globally for June, July, August and September.

ZEN

On this day in 1987 this classic was released! Have a good weekend.