Farmers to return to social partnership talks

Farmers groups will be back in Government Buildings next week in a bid to reach a deal on the agricultural element of the new social partnership agreement.

Talks were adjourned last night after nearly nine hours of negotiations.

A deal was struck on the new social partnership deal last week, and the agriculture pillar is the only one remaining.

Issues, such as funding for the rural development package, are posing problems for both sides but President of the Irish Farmers Association Padraig Walshe has insisted progress is being made.