The General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said he is hopeful that a new national partnership programme can be agreed over the next few days.
David Begg was speaking on arrival for the latest session of partnership negotiations at Government Buildings.
Mr Begg said that progress had been made and that a reasonably good set of measures to deal with labour market problems was in prospect though not completed.
However he said no huge progress had been made on the central issue of pay.
The talks involving employers, the Government and trade unions broke up last night without reaching any breakthrough.
It had been hoped the talks on the outstanding issues would have been concluded by this weekend.
The issues include special provision for the low paid and mechanisms to permit higher increases in profitable sectors.
