Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are to begin government formation talks tomorrow, after a meeting between Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin on Monday.
A joint statement said Micheál Martin and Simon Harris had a “positive and constructive” engagement.
The negotiating teams for both parties will meet tomorrow to discuss policy.
Both leaders had phone calls with Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik today, while Simon Harris has started meeting a swathe of Independents on an individual basis.
Despite an apparent ramping up of discussions, it’s still unlikely a government will be in place for the return of the Dáil on December 18th.
Early to mid-January is believed to be the most likely time for a full agreement on the shape of the next government.
Sources have indicated that Mr Martin and Mr Harris favour a deal with Independent TDs than Labour or the Social Democrats.
Together, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have 86 seats, two short of a Dáil…
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