Around 750 SIPTU staff in the State industrial agencies will meet in Liberty Hall, Dublin, on Monday morning to consider a proposal to restart negotiations on grading structures in the organisations. It is the first sign of a breakthrough in the dispute since December 22nd, when the talks process broke down.

A communications black-out has been underway since Monday at IDA Ireland, Forfas and Enterprise Ireland, as part of a dispute between SIPTU staff and the Department of Finance. However, a black out on computer use, due to go ahead yesterday, was cancelled after a proposal on re-opening negotiations. The dispute arose after some of those employed due to the merger of the State industrial agencies, achtala, found themselves working alongside colleagues with better remuneration packages. Ms Patricia King, a SIPTU branch secretary, has said that as many as 48 active grades exist across Forfas, the umbrella body which employs the other agency staff.