Some progress was recorded last week on the nurses' demand for a reduction in the working week from 39 hours to 35.

It is understood health management offered a 38hour week by the early part of next year but said this must be delivered on a cost-neutral basis.

The INO and PNA have described the talks, which resumed yesterday afternoon, as "positive" but have still made no moves to call off their work-to-rule. However, there are also no plans to escalate the action.

The talks have now moved on to the even thornier issue of the nurses' demand for a 10.6% pay increase outside of the national pay agreement.