Latest: Siptu to ballot members on strike action

Latest: Siptu has authorised a strike ballot among its members on public service pay.

Update 5.30pm:

Siptu has authorised a strike ballot among its members on public service pay.

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Earlier:

SIPTU will consider deferring a ballot on strike action to allow for a fresh round of talks on public sector pay.

The Union had threatened to begin a ballot unless a timeline for talks was announced by today.

However the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has asked them to defer the proposed ballot to allow talks to take place.

SIPTU is the country's largest trade union - with 60,000 public sector members.

Its president Jack O'Connor says they are likely to allow more time before balloting members: "I think there will be due consideration of that today and I think we will arrive at a conclusion that endorses the decision to ballot but respects the request."