Talks to avert the closure of Tara Mines are to begin this week following a joint initiative by union and employer leaders. The general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Mr Peter Cassells, and the director-general of the Irish Business and Employers Confede ration, Mr Turlough O'Sulli van, agreed in discussions at the weekend a formula that would allow both sides to resume negotiations.
A Meath councillor, Mr Brian Fitzgerald, and a rights commissioner, Ms Janet Hughes, who facilitated the agreement that averted closure of Tara Mines last February, have been asked to play a similar role again.