Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin agree to postpone talks

Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin have agreed to postpone talks between the two parties until Wednesday.

The two party leaders spoke again on the phone last night after a day of confusion on when the negotiations would commence.

It is understood the Fianna Fáil leader stressed the need to conclude negotiations with the Independents before speaking with Fine Gael.

Mr Kenny had been eager to meet on Friday but the two party leaders have agreed to commence discussions next week.

When the two do meet, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are expected to talk to each other on how a minority government will be formed, but Mr Martin is likely to insist Fine Gael backs down from its position it will not support a Fianna Fáil minority government.

Meanwhile, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan is to meet with Independents at 11.30am to give a briefing on the economy.

Mr Noonan is expected to give a economic overview on the state of the public finances and the upcoming Budget.

The discussion began with a further debate on housing measures and the party is expected to have a Programme for Government prepared for early next week.

All 15 Independent TDs still in talks with the two main parties are expected to abstain or vote against both Mr Martin and Mr Kenny when the Dáil sits next Wednesday.

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae accused the two parties of behaving like children over such a trivial issue, while Shane Ross, another Independent involved in the talks, said it was “adolescent”.

On the main issue of government formation, Fianna Fáil has indicated it will support a Fine Gael minority government on a case-by-case basis. But Fine Gael has said it will not offer similar support to a Fianna Fáil minority government.

In the likely event of nobody being elected taoiseach next week, the Dáil is expected to meet a week or a fortnight later to vote again.