The Labour Court is to examine the nurses strike in an effort to avert widespread disruption to the health service next week.
Three strike days are due to take place, with over 80,000 patients potentially having their medical appointments cancelled.
Government sources have said they understand the Labour Court will review this dispute again on Friday morning.
Given that the same court 10 days ago said the sides were too far apart for it to intervene, this would be a significant move.
While this is potentially good news, both the nursing unions and the Government have not changed their stance on the issue of pay.
Some 43,000 members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) want a 12% pay increase.
The Government has said this would cost €300m and with the threat of Brexit and economic uncertainty its simply not affordable.
It could be that the Labour court is making one last attempt to try and prevent what the Health Service Executive (HSE) worries would be huge disruption across the health sector next week.
Strike days - next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - by nurses and midwives could see over 80,000 patients potentially having their medical appointments cancelled.
