A second round of ASTI talks is underway at the Labour Court this afternoon in a bid to break the deadlocked teachers' dispute.
There is no agreement so far and ASTI general secretary Charlie Lennon is not optimistic.
As he entered thee Labour Court he said there is no deadline but if this weeks round of strike action is to be called off, something will have to give in the next few hours.
The pay talks are taking place against a background of disquiet amongst students.
At least 10 were arrested in Dublin's protest this morning and gardai in Dundalk were called in to break up an angry demonstration there.