TALKS to avert a strike that could close the Republic's three main airports from Wednesday were continuing late last night at the Labour Relations Commission.
Neither side was commenting on the negotiations but some progress is understood to have been made and there was growing optimism that a strike could be averted.
The dispute involves 400 SIPTU members of the Airport Police and Fire Service, who provide security and emergency services at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports. They are objecting to changes in security procedures introduced by Aer Rianta, which runs the three airports.
SIPTU members say the changes could lead to their work being contracted out, and that vacancies are not being filled, although their workload is increasing due to the expansion of facilities and services.
The company says changes in security arrangements have been necessary to meet the requirements of the Federal Aviation Authority. It is insisting on protection for US aircraft being supplied by security firms licensed in the US.
There is no emergency code of practice in place to maintain essential services at the airports during industrial disputes. Therefore, all three airports would have to close if the dispute goes ahead as they could not meet international safety requirements.