Talks on the extension of the Croke Park agreement get underway today and are expected to continue into the weekend.

Among the proposals expected to be set out by the government, will be cuts to premium pay for nurses and other healthcare workers and a longer working week.

It comes as the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter urges Garda unions to return to the talks.

Discussions have been ongoing between trade union and Government representatives over the past few weeks, as they attempt to hammer out an agreement that would save an additional 1 billion euro on the public sector pay bill.

Both sides will return to the table today - and the talks are expected to last for the weekend.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors and the Garda Representative Association have already refused to take part in the negotiations if cuts to pay are on the table.

Yesterday, the GRA passed a motion of no confidence in the Justice Minister Alan Shatter - in response, Minister Shatter said "spats" occur between Justice Ministers and Garda Representatives from time to time - and he has urged both sides to get on with their jobs.