Talks at the Labour Relations Commission aimed at resolving the dispute between health employers and non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) will reconvene on Friday morning.
At a meeting today the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), the Health Service Employers' Agency (HSEA) and the Department of Health and Children discussed the framework for further talks aimed at resolving a dispute over rosters.
The talks are taking place against the background of the results of an IMO ballot 3,000 NCHDs which produced a 97 per cent vote in favour of industrial action up to and including strike action over the issue.
The dispute arises from attempts by health employers to change the basic working week of NCHDs so that part of it at least takes place outside normal daytime hours.
The HSEA says this is necessary if the excessive overtime worked by doctors is to be reduced in line with an EU directive.
The IMO says that NCHDs must be in the hospitals during the day, when demand from patients is highest and training opportunities are at their best. The HSEA says that the doctors want to protect their overtime payments.
The talks will have to be concluded by a September 15th deadline.