Fine Gael signals coalition with Fianna Fáil a possibility

Fine Gael has given its strongest signal to date that a coalition with Fianna Fáil is possible.

The party’s director of elections, Brian Hayes, has said that discussions with Fianna Fáil “could occur” in the coming weeks.

But Mr Hayes has also spoken of Fine Gael seeking to form an inter-party Government, akin to the 1948-1951 government, which was formed to exclude Fianna Fáil from power. Mr Hayes was speaking ahead of the Dáil convening to elect a new taoiseach on Thursday.