Representatives from the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and the Irish Sugar Company (ISC) are currently taking part in bi-lateral talks at the Department of Agriculture.
Mr Paddy Teahon, a former secretary general at the Department of the Taoiseach, has been mediating between the IFA and ISC since the talks began at 2 p.m.
His appointment as mediator was announced last night.
In a dispute over payments for sugar beet, the State's estimated 3,740 beet growers have suspended all beet deliveries to two ISC plants in Mallow, Co Cork and Carlow town since November 7th last.
The plant's 650 workers are currently under protective notice.
The ISC had applied to the High Court for an interlocutory order restraining the IFA from organising any withdrawal of supplies of sugar beet from the company's two plants.
Yesterday, Mr Justice O’Donovan reserved judgment on the case, saying he hoped to deliver judgment within a few days.
The talks are expected to continue until 7.30 p.m. this evening, and will resume early tomorrow morning.