Public sector pay impasse sparks fresh strike threat

Another 24-hour strike could be on the cards

The outcome of Monday's union meeting, scheduled for November 2, could have consequences for schools, hospitals and other public services nationwide. 

Teachers, nurses, gardaí and civil servants are among the workers involved in the dispute, meaning a walkout could affect a wide range of essential services.

The latest round of negotiations had been taking place at the Workplace Relations Commission in Dublin, where representatives spent 10 days trying to find common ground. 

However, the discussions eventually broke down late on Friday, with the final meeting continuing past 11pm before ending without an agreement, the Irish Mirror reported.

Union negotiator Kevin Callinan said the two sides had reached a "significant impasse". 

He indicated that the Government's position had left him unable to secure a deal he could confidently present to members, adding that an agreement "doesn't seem possible" at this stage.

Union representatives will now have to consider whether to return to negotiations or escalate their response. 

A further day of strike action is one possibility, but the decision will be discussed at Monday's meeting.

For now, the collapse of the talks has left the public sector pay dispute unresolved, with the prospect of disruption hanging over services across the country.