Fine Gael have reached out to smaller parties as they believe they need the support of at least 60 TDs to form a stable government.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has thrown down a gauntlet to Independent TDs about electing him as taoiseach, in a last bid to form a Fianna Fáil minority government.

Potential kingmakers the Independent Alliance met with Fine Gael negotiator Simon Coveney and junior minister Simon Harris for 90 minutes last night as pressure builds over talks to form a government.

Independent TDs will hold a series of meetings today to assess the first substantial Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil talks, but are unlikely to give either Enda Kenny or Micheál Martin enough support to gain power on Thursday.

The Transport Minister has said that Independents would not be wasting their time with long talks if they did not think a deal could be reached.

The second round-table talks between Fine Gael and 15 Independents, and smaller parties, are to take place tomorrow.

Talks are continuing today on forming a new government.

Independent TDs and groupings now fear backing either of the main parties would be politically toxic.

Joan Burton has said that any Fine Gael / Labour Coalition Government propped up by independents would put Ireland's recovery at risk.

There has been a considerable rise for Fine Gael and Labour in the latest opinion poll.

Some of the new forces in Irish politics will hammer out their programmes this weekend for the looming general election.

The newly-formed Independent Alliance which expects to have 20 candidates in place for the general election yesterday unveiled new hopefuls who have joined its ranks.

Labour and Fianna Fáil have lost support with the electorate according to a new opinion poll.

Independents have to put egos aside and come together,writes Special Correspondent Michael Clifford.

It would be a mistake to dismiss the massive swell in support for Independents as a simple protest vote; it is at the heart of a breakdown of trust in mainstream party politics, writes Ray Kinsella.

Is Eamon Gilmore already Labour’s lost leader before a vote has been cast?

Tapping into voter anger is a good election strategy, but the consequences of mere populist policies for the economy could be very serious, writes Business Editor John Walsh.

A Fianna Fáil councillor readily admits people will still slam the door in his face when he’s canvassing. But he maintains it’s not as prevalent as it was three years ago — when he tried to retain his father’s former Dáil seat.

Labour will have an "opportunity to reflect" after this week’s local and European elections, according to deputy leader Joan Burton, as the party prepares for a drubbing by disenchanted voters who are turning to Sinn Féin and a mostly left-wing group of Independents.