Union representatives and employers' group IBEC are back at Government Buildings to resume negotiations on a national partnership agreement.
Talks on a successor to Sustaining Progress had been adjourned on a number of occasions due to the failure of unions and employers to agree terms for the pay element of a new national agreement.
A Government spokesperson has said informal contact is taking place with the parties concerned, but it is not clear if there will be a formal session this evening.
Earlier, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he hoped the talks would be resolved one way or another before he left for the US on Wednesday.
