Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats are due to resume talks on the formation of a coalition Government later tonight.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is holding round-table consulations with senior Fianna Fail ministers ahead of opening negotiations for Government with the Progressive Democrats.

Formal negotiations to establish a coalition Government are beginning today following final confirmation of the make-up of the new parliament, more than a week after the general election.

The last seat in the 29th Dail was finally filled last night.

A result in the election recount in Wicklow is expected this afternoon.

Sinn Fein has selected Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin as their parliamentary party's group leader in the new Dail.

Sinn Fein's Ard Comhairle meet later this morning for the first time since the general election.

Fine Gael is blaming Labour for its political breakdown during the general election.

The announcement of a result in the Wicklow recount has been adjourned until noon today.

The check of the ninth recount in the Wicklow recount has been concluded - and Labour's Nicky Kelly and Independent Mildred Fox now await a result.

Fine Gael’s severely depleted parliamentary party is due to meet today after the party’s disastrous defeat in last week’s general election.

The recount of votes in Wicklow is due to resume this morning, with a result expected some time later today.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams says the focus of his party in the next Dail will be to bring about equality for everybody.

Tanaiste, Mary Harney, is warning against any presumptions that a new coalition between Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats is a done deal.

The recount in Wicklow to decide the remaining seat is presently underway.

Fianna Fail, secured a further boost when it retained a seat previously thought to have been lost following a second recount of votes.

John Dennehy has won the final seat in the Cork South Central constituency after a second recount left him six votes ahead of Kathy Sinnott.

A result is due shortly in the Cork South Central recount.

The out-going deputy leader of Fianna Fail, Mary O'Rourke, has been nominated to the Seanad.

PD leader Mary Harney has said she has been given a mandate by her party to start negotiations with Fianna Fail on the possibility of returning to Government.

The Tanaiste, Mary Harney, has said she wants to end the uncertainty surrounding the formation of the next government.

The Progressive Democrats’ newly elected TDs are due to meet in Leinster House later today to discuss how it should proceed in talks on forming a new Government with Fianna Fail.

The result from Cork South Central's recount is expected to be known this afternoon.

Fianna Fail has made informal approaches to some newly elected independent TDs.

Independent North Tipperary deputy Michael Lowry has said that a Fianna Fail - Progressive Democrats coalition is inevitable.

Progressive Democrats leader Mary Harney has revealed that some of her party’s new TDs would prefer to go into opposition rather than form a government with Fianna Fail.

Fine Gael is due to meet on Friday to discuss the party’s future following its disastrous performance in last week’s general election.

A recount is underway in Cavan/Monaghan to determine which Fine Gael candidate takes the fourth and final seat in the constituency.

As her party prepares for talks on the formation of the next Government, Progressive Democrat leader Mary Harney will today collect her winnings from a shrewd election wager.

Defeated Fianna Fail candidate Mary O’Rourke is due to take a position in the Seanad after losing her Dail seat, according to speculation this morning.

A second recount of the votes in Cork South-Central is due to begin this morning after independent candidate Kathy Sinnott’s three-vote victory was overturned in an initial recount yesterday.

The Cork South Central count results released tonight from Cork City Hall reversed the result from yesterday putting John Dennehy ahead of Kathy Sinnott by two votes.

A recount is underway in Cork South Central where only three votes separate hopeful candidates Kathy Sinnott and John Dennehy.

Dublin North Central TD Richard Bruton remains the favourite to succeed Michael Noonan as leader of Fine Gael.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, confirmed in power by this week’s sweeping general election gains, was today poised for talks about forming a new coalition Government.

Michael Finucane has conceded he has lost his seat to Dan Neville in the Limerick West recount.

The recount in Limerick West is continuing, with 20 votes being checked by count staff.

A decision on the Limerick West recount is expected shortly.

Former Fine Gael leader Alan Dukes has announced his intention to retire from politics after losing his Dáil seat in Kildare south in last week’s general election.

Defeated Fine Gael TD Andrew Boylan is challenging his defeat at the hands of his running mate, Seymour Crawford, in Cavan-Monaghan.

Fine Gael’s Dan Neville will face off with party colleague Michael Finucane, after requesting a recount after losing by one vote in Limerick West.

The final Dáil seat to be filled following Friday’s election remains at the centre of a recount this morning.

Election candidates in five constituencies are awaiting the results of recounts.

Election candidates in five constituencies are awaiting the results of recounts.