Talks bid to end row at farm offices

Crucial talks are to be held today in a bid to resolve the seven-week-old dispute over promotional opportunities at Department of Agriculture and Food offices.

Members of the Civil and Public Service Union (CPSU) and department officials will meet to discuss the dispute, which has resulted in the removal of more than 250 staff from the department’s payroll and the picketing of offices in Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Limerick and Cork.

The CPSU had planned to escalate the industrial action countrywide this week, but deferred this in the light of today’s talks.