Talks between unions and employers on a new national partnership deal were continuing at Government Buildings last night.
The two sides are attempting to break the deadlock over measures to underpin employment standards, before moving on to other issues such as pay.
Before last night's meeting, Siptu president Jack O'Connor said agreement was possible as long as employers were not prepared to exploit workers.
However, if employers did not "stand up to those amongst their own ranks" who were prepared to engage in exploitation, "we will have arrived at an end to 18 years of social partnership", he said.
Employers have indicated they could accept measures designed to enhance enforcement of existing employment laws. To this end, measures such as the appointment of between 30 and 40 additional labour inspectors are being prepared by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
As reported in The Irish Times on Monday, a dramatic increase in penalties for breaches of employment laws, and the appointment of additional rights commissioners is also anticipated.
It is likely the labour inspectorate will be removed from the department's control and established as an independent agency.
The talks on a successor to Sustaining Progress began on February 2nd and now look set to continue into April.