There has been a breakthrough in the row between the Government and hospital consultants on talks over new contracts.
The Board of the Health Service Executive said it had accepted an approach from the independent talks chairman, Mark Connaughton, to enter unconditional negotiations with doctors, for a defined period.
The decision of the HSE to agree to resume talks means that the scene is now set for all sides to re-enter negotiations.
Those talks will be unconditional, and for a set period of around six weeks.
Both the HSE and the consultant medical organizations will be required to table written submissions on their respective positions, before the first plenary session.
The Minister for Health, Mary Harney, is still expected to bring plans to Cabinet next week on new contracts, but these will accommodate a set timetable for a deal to be agreed.
