Staff at Irish Ispat in Cork are meeting to discuss their next course of action, after the steel plant's parent company rejected a rescue package.

The parent company of the Irish ISPAT plant in Co Cork has told trade union officials that they have rejected the proposed rescue package for the steel works.

The Tanaiste has said her first priority in meeting the owners of Irish Ispat in London is to see the jobs and business in Cork maintained.

A package of measures has been agreed between management and unions at Ispat in Cork, which could lead to the plant being re-opened.