A Sligo Leitrim Junior Minister believes any public sector pay deal should represent value for money. 

It comes as talks are due to begin at the Workplace Relations Commission today.

They follow meetings on Saturday, overseen by a Government-appointed working group, agreeing to engage in talks today.

Strike action last Wednesday saw thousands of public sector workers across Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal engage in a 24-hour work stoppage, causing widespread disruption.

A further strike planned for Wednesday has been suspended to allow talks to proceed, but work-to-rule action affecting public services will continue.

Minister of State Frank Feighan is hopeful for a breakthrough: