With more than 65,000 days already lost to work stoppages this year, there are several potential flashpoint areas ahead, writes Stephen Rogers

Time is running out to convince Garth Brooks to change his mind and come to Ireland, Labour Relations Commission chief Kieran Mulvey warned today.

The Cabinet will have to decide today whether to extend a further lifeline to the Croke Park II talks following intensive negotiations.

With just 24 hours to go before Labour Relations Commission chief Kieran Mulvey is required to report back to Cabinet on the potential for a new public service pay deal, it appears increasingly likely any solution will have to come from a collection of agreements hammered out with individual unions.