Independents:Fianna Fáil and the rainbow parties are expected to start talks with the five Independent TDs who may hold the key to the formation of the next government before the end of the week.
Independent TDs confirmed yesterday that they had been contacted by Fine Gael and Labour to ask if they would be interested in talking about supporting a rainbow government.
The TDs expect contact from Fianna Fáil tomorrow, after the Taoiseach meets Fianna Fáil deputy leader Brian Cowen and other advisers.
Dublin Central TD Tony Gregory confirmed yesterday he had been contacted by Fine Gael's Richard Bruton and Labour's Éamon Gilmore asking if would talk about giving his support.
"I said that I don't see how they can put together a government based on the figures but I said I would certainly talk to them." Mr Gregory said it was still his view that the soundings Fianna Fáil were sending out about doing a deal with the PDs and Independents were a smoke-screen and its real target for doing a government deal was Labour.
Asked if he would be seeking a ministry as a condition of going into government, Mr Gregory said: "I am not saying I am but any politician would relish the idea of a full ministry." He said if the five Independents were to get together to negotiate as a block he would happily be part of that. "But this was tried before and it didn't work out and I am not going to initiate that."
Independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae met his party organisation last night in advance of negotiations with either power block. He confirmed yesterday that a senior figure from Fianna Fáil had contacted him over the weekend in relation to his supporting a Fianna Fáil-led government. Fine Gael figures, "in two to three different ways", had also been in touch with him, he said.
Mr Healy-Rae - who described himself as "Independent Fianna Fáil" on election posters - said people were "terrified" the Taoiseach would include the Green Party in the new government.
He ruled himself out of rejoining Fianna Fáil and also said he would not be looking for a junior ministry as the price for his support. While he refused to go into the detail of what his specific demands for support would be, he said better roads in south and west Kerry would be among his priorities.
Dublin North Central Independent Finian McGrath confirmed yesterday he also had contacts from Fine Gael and Labour about giving his support. He said he had no formal contact yet from Fianna Fáil but was expecting contact today or tomorrow.
Mr McGrath said he did not want to talk about a "shopping list" or a "wish list" but it was about negotiating a "programme for government".
He said he would have certain policies and issues on his list of commitments, both in his constituency and nationally. "If they implement the issues I get elected on, my programme for government, my door is open to negotiations. If these issues that I present are delivered on I can also guarantee that I will hold the line for five years and give long-term commitments provided my issues are implemented."
He said his key issues were improved services for people with disabilities, health issues and education issues, including class sizes and support for educational disadvantage. He said specifically he would be seeking increased funding for the Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf.
Independent Michael Lowry has also confirmed he has been contacted by Fine Gael and said his first priority would be to support a Fine Gael-led government. But if the numbers did not stack up there he would talk to Fianna Fáil.
Mayo TD Beverley Flynn could not be contacted yesterday.