The Government today called on employers and unions to reflect on the suspended national wage talks and meet face-to-face again at the end of the month.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen invited the parties for further negotiations on pay and other issues at the end of August.
Mr Cowen and Tanaiste Mary Coughlan had been on standby up to 4am at Government Buildings to help broker a deal if necessary.
The social partnership negotiations broke down early this morning after workers' representatives refused to accept a timetable of pay increases stretching over the next 18 months.
With the August 1 deadline for agreement passed, Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Martin Cullen urged both sides to reflect on the outstanding issues in the coming weeks, but some unions vowed to press ahead with wage rises in their sectors.
Expressing regret at the suspension of talks, Mr Cullen said industrial relations machinery remains in place to prevent work stoppages.
He urged employers and unions to reflect on the issues involved before returning to the talks table at the end of August.
"After that period of reflection, it may be possible to renew discussions," he said.
The Labour Party warned against jeopardising the economic progress made in recent years under successive partnership agreements.
TD Willie Penrose said: "I hope that the culture of industrial peace that has developed in Ireland, and which has benefited workers and employers, does not come under threat."
PA