ASTI suspend strike action

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

This means that there will be no regional stoppages next week. Schools were due to close on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The decision comes after the Taoiseach promised to repay the pay docked from the teachers before Christmas.

However the ASTI want any "talks about talks" with the Government and mediator Tom Pomphrett concluded within a week.

Any terms agreed will still have to be put to a vote by the union's executive council.