Negotiations between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party on forming a coalition government are due to continue for the fourth day at Government buildings this afternoon with plans to build private hospitals on public lands proving a sticking point.
The talks are expected to end by tomorrow with the Greens believed to be keen to have proposals to put to party members at a special conference on Sunday.
The Dáil is due to sit again on June 14th when a vote is to be taken on the next taoiseach.
At the end of negotiations last night both sides said that progress had been made. However, Fianna Fáil's determination to pursue plans to build private hospitals on public hospital grounds is a major obstacle for the Greens.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Séamus Brennan acknowledged that the opposing positions on hospital co-location, with Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats in favour and the Greens against, have not edged closer.
"The health area is one area that we have still to make some good progress on. We are still in the middle of that," he said after the end of nine hours of negotiations.
Asked if he believed the parties could strike a deal, Mr Brennan said: "I believe we can. Am I certain? No, but I believe that we can. Both sides have entered these talks in good faith.
The Green Party delegation, led by deputy leader John Gormley, includes former Cork South Central TD Dan Boyle and the party's general secretary Dónall Geoghegan.
If a package is agreed, it will be put to 800 delegates at the Green Party's Mansion House meeting on Sunday.
