Talks between government representatives and public sector unions on an extension to the Croke Park deal could drag on past tonight's deadline.

Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, has said a deal needs to be done and he said he is confident agreement can be reached on proposed changes to working hours and pay cuts for public sector workers.

Today's talks are centred on increasing the working week to 37 hours from 35 hours and placing a freeze on incremental pay increases for three years for public service staff.

Minister Varadkar says there is scope to push the deadline to the talks out further: