The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association says some progress has been made in talks with health service employers on new contracts but has emphasised that a lot of work remains to be done.
The parties say that if the heads of agreement for a new contract can be finalised by next week, it would represent major progress.
Today was the third day of the negotiations, which are being held at a Kildare hotel.
The talks have adjourned and will resume again on Tuesday morning.
A report from independent financial consultants on the ratio of public and private practice for new consultants, which it was hoped would be tabled at these talks, will now not be ready for some weeks.
Meanwhile, the board of the Health Service Executive is meeting today to discuss the implications of the budget overrun in the health system, which has been put at around €220m to the end of August.
Both the IHCA and the Irish Medical Organisation have criticised the decision of the executive to suspend the recruitment of staff for the month of September, in an attempt to rein in spending.
