The Minister for Education has said "everything that we have done in our schools" has been done in "a spirit of partnership" with teaching unions, school staff, students and parents.
It comes after the president of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland said on Friday that substantial progress on safety in schools is needed to avoid industrial action.
Ann Piggott was speaking after ASTI members voted in favour of industrial action up to strike action, in pursuit of wider safeguards to protect teachers from Covid-19 in schools, as well as equal pay.
This afternoon Norma Foley said it is "hugely important" that there has been a "positive spirit of engagement and generous good will".