Negotiations between the HSE and nursing unions are understood to be in a critical phase.
Labour Relations Commission negotiators have spent the afternoon in shuttle diplomacy between the two sides in a bid to resolve their row over compensation for psychiatric nurses attacked while on duty.
A number of psychiatric wards in hospitals around the country have been forced to close because of the refusal by nurses to work overtime in the absence of a new deal.
Nursing unions are threatening to escalate their action next week if the HSE Employers Agency does not improve the compensation package currently on offer.
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