Talks between unions and management at the ESB are continuing with the Labour Relations Commission - in an effort to avert strike action on December 16th.

There's a risk of power outages across the country from that date, as staff threaten to down tools in a row over a 1.6 billion euro hole in the workers' pension fund.

It's understood bosses at some multinational companies have contacted the Taoiseach this weekend, to warn him that any power cuts could cost the country jobs.

Around one in four households will be affected by power cuts if an ESB strike goes ahead at 8am as planned, on Monday week.

The Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte says the pension scheme will be fully funded by 2018 - and he says a strike by staff would be 'out of proportion' with the scale of their dispute.