The Taoiseach Enda Kenny earlier today said he wants both sides of the postal strike to begin talks today.

UPDATE: Industrial action suspended, new talks to begin tomorrow.

His comments came after the Communications Minister Alex White said a prolonged action would be 'unthinkable'.

36 workers at contractor IO systems have been on strike over pay and rostering since last Friday.

Mr Kenny is appealed for talks to begin as soon as possible.

Minister White says it is essential the strike is brought to an early end, and wants both sides to meet at the talks table.

Earlier, the CWU said a decision by An Post to shut down postal services was "ludicrous".

That remark came after the contractor at the centre of the dispute insisted its employees' core pay was not being cut.

However, IO Systems admit changes in shift patterns and a reduction in working hours have affected premium pay rates.

Fergal Lynam is managing director of IO Systems and spoke to Newstalk Breakfast.

Sean McDonagh is national officer for the CWU. He said changes were introduced without any consultation.

The Department of Social Protection says payment cheques to its customers will arrive as expected since they were posted prior to the action being staged.

Passport applications

Elsewhere, the Department of Foreign Affairs has announced temporary Passport Express arrangements.

Passport Express services in post offices have been suspended, and customers who do not yet have definite travel plans are advised to postpone submitting their applications.

For those travelling within 10 working days or less, the online appointments system for the Dublin and Cork passport offices will continue to operate as normal on the www.dfa.ie website.

And for people travelling in more than 10 working days, application drop-off boxes will be in operation at reception in the Dublin and Cork passport offices - and at the Irish Aid Office in Limerick from this morning.

The Department says it will prioritise those with emergency travel plans.