Employers and unions are to hold separate discussions with the Government in the coming days before resuming direct negotiations on a new partnership deal. The two sides met yesterday for further exchanges on labour market and workplace issues.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) is seeking "substantial progress" on measures to maintain employment standards before it negotiates on other issues such as pay.
However, employers' body Ibec says it will not agree to any proposals that would introduce inflexibilities into the labour market or increase the "regulatory burden" on business.
A key sticking point is likely to be Ictu's demand that a new legal framework be put in place to protect pay rates and working conditions and prevent the displacement of jobs.
Ibec is prepared to discuss measures to achieve better compliance with existing legislation but would oppose the imposition of new regulations.
The two sides will now separately hold informal discussions with Department of the Taoiseach secretary general Dermot McCarthy, who is chairing the talks, before resuming negotiations on Friday.
In the meantime, employers and unions will be joined by the other social partners for a plenary session devoted to social issues on Thursday morning.
A number of farm organisations, including the IFA, Macra na Feirme and ICOS, have suspended their involvement in the talks because of the implementation of the EU nitrates directive, which limits the amount of fertiliser farmers can put on their land.
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association has remained involved in the talks and is expected to join the other social partners, including community and voluntary organisations, at Thursday's plenary session.
The talks on a successor to Sustaining Progress are due to continue until mid-March.