Hospital consultants decided tonight to defer industrial action for a period of four weeks after a request by the Minister for Health.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the National Council of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) in Dublin.
The Association earlier met Mr Martin to discuss the row over medical insurance for historic negligent claims.
Yesterday, around 100 patients had surgery cancelled after consultants stepped up industrial action. The senior doctors withdrew co-operation from the National Treatment Purchase Fund in the second phase of the action that was to see all services bar emergency cover withdrawn at the State's hospitals next week.
But in a statement this evening the IHCA said: "The National Council of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) decided at an emergency meeting this evening, to accede to the request of the Minister for Health & Children and defer the curtailment of services scheduled to commence next Monday.
"It was also agreed to defer stages two and three of the campaign. The deferral is for a period of four weeks."
Dr Colm Quigley, President of the IHCA said: "In recognition of the real and substantial progress made during the past two weeks and in view of the Ministers assurances, the National Council has decided, following a 90 minute meeting, to defer action for four weeks".
The Department proposed a progress review should take place in two weeks time. It is predicted that the process as a whole should be completed in four weeks.
Consultants are angry at Mr Martin over his decision to introduce a new insurance scheme without their agreement.
The British-based Medical Defence Union (MDU) has traditionally indemnified consultants against malpractice claims. But they are now refusing to cover claims for past negligence because of the size of compensation pay-outs in Ireland.
They want to transfer liability for claims, which have not yet been made, to the Department of Health, but Mr Martin has not accepted the €60 million offered to cover a bill which he believes could expose the State to a €400 million liability.
A series of talks involving the Department of Health and the MDU began yesterday and are ongoing.