THE CIE group of unions are expected to give the go-ahead for industrial action today which will cripple rail and bus services within a fortnight.

SECONDARY school principals are hoping the ASTI will take the incentive of a deal finalised with the other two teachers’ unions and return to supervision and substitution duties.

A BREAKTHROUGH in talks between teachers and the Department of Education on payment for supervision and substitution is expected in the next few days, union sources said yesterday.

THE Irish Dental Association (IDA) and the Department of Social and Family Affairs have finally agreed to open settlement talks.

Striking teachers are this evening locked in last-minute talks with the Government to work out a way of resolving their pay dispute.

Today is the deadline for agreement in the teachers dispute before the ASTI decides whether to resume strike action.

Talks aimed at ending the teachers' pay dispute are due to get underway this afternoon at the Labour Relations Commission.

The Association of Secondary Teachers standing committee has decided to suspend strike action for one week.

There is fresh hope this morning that there may soon be a breakthrough in the teachers' pay dispute.

The teachers pay row remains deadlocked with the mediator in the dispute saying he has no reason to table any new proposals as there is no hint of movement from either side.