Hopes of breakthrough in teachers row fade

A meeting of the executive of the ASTI is continuing into the afternoon at a Central Dublin hotel.

The standing committee of the union has voted not to accept settlement proposals put forward by the mediator and is making that recommendation to this afternoon's meeting.

It is widely expected that there will be no breakthrough unless the teachers get a firm indication from the Government that money docked from pre-Christmas pay packets will be paid back.

The meeting is expected to continue for sometime yet with a news conference called for when it breaks up.

It is understood that senior officials on the Government side are staying in close contact with developments through the weekend.