A second Dáil vote for Taoiseach is set to go ahead on Thursday as parties continue to meet and debate policies in an attempt to form a government.

The Green Party says it does not feel there is a sense of urgency from other parties on climate during talks on government formation.

The Healy-Rae Independent TDs have questioned how Sinn Féin election promises will be paid for by after meeting the party's negotiators for government formation talks.

A war of words has broken out between Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan and Transport Minister Shane Ross over the Judicial Appointments Bill.

Comments about immigrants by Independent TDs Noel Grealish and Michael Collins have been branded as “very dangerous” by Labour leader Brendan Howlin.

Politicians have clocked up more than €9m in expenses, claiming back everything from coffee to Irish language books to meals they hosted.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin received a €30,000 pay bump though an allowance claimed by the party last year, bringing his salary up to €124,353.

A wave of Independents were swept into power in the last general election. The country was in recovery mode.

Health Minister Simon Harris was confronted by heckles and calls for him to resign at a referendum event which had to be cut short after the interruption.

The Government’s ambitious plan to transform the country is great in theory but rural Ireland must not be forgotten, writes Elaine O’Loughlin.

Independent ministers have been warned by a cabinet colleague that backing abortion legislation that is unconstitutional will set a “difficult precedent”.

Garda commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan admitted yesterday a lot of work needed to be done to reassure the public that lessons had been learned. Last week, the Policing Authority expressed “unease” at garda culture and management in the wake of the O’Higgins Report into allegations of malpractice in the force.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

The first cracks in the newly formed minority government arrangement have appeared just three days after it was formed due to disagreements on water charges, health, and variable mortgage reforms.

Opposition parties have taken their first shot at the new Government, claiming that it is “built on sand”, is “doomed to failure”, and is based on “shambolic grubby little deals” that belittle any talk of reform.

Enda Kenny’s new Cabinet has received mixed reaction with praise after he appointed more women to government, but also questions about the role he gave certain ministers.

Fine Gael will concede four Cabinet seats to Independents today in exchange for their support for a deal to form a Government.

The programme for government, agreed upon by both Fine Gael and Independent TDs has been set out. Based on a timeframe of five years, the 150 page document outlines policies in a number of key areas.

The so-called ‘Trinity Treaty’ and its eight pages, which will be the glue that keeps this minority Fine Gael government from falling apart at the seams, was debated at party meetings last night.

A Dáil vote on permanently abolishing water charges could be held as early as next April, according to the government-support deal agreed between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

The running sore of mortgage arrears — eight years after the onset of the financial crisis — is back on top of the political agenda as Independent TDs negotiate their participation in a new government, the Irish Examiner has learned.

Like the tide, the prospect of Fine Gael forming a minority government by Thursday, a deadline set more in hope than in stone by Simon Coveney, receded before talks had even begun yesterday morning between Fine Gael ministers and a group of six Independent TDs whose votes are vital to prop up the tottering party. 

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Enda Kenny will have to concede four Cabinet seats to secure the support of Independent TDs in his bid to be re-elected Taoiseach.

Former tánaiste and Progressive Democrats leader Mary Harney once famously pondered: “Your worst day in government is better than your best day in opposition.”

Water charges look likely to be permanently axed as a Dáil vote will now be required for their reintroduction.

Enda Kenny may struggle to secure a minority government as Independents have said that there is a “motorway to travel” before they do a deal.

Anti-water charge TDs intend to utilise the mass support against Irish Water to campaign for fair pay, better housing, and an end to the homelessness crisis.

Independents have ruled out any government-formation deal being struck this week.

May I ask President Higgins to bear in mind that at a cost €40 million a further General Election may well be the best option for the Irish people when one considers that Department of Finance officials have confirmed that Independent TDs had already submitted proposals costing €13 billion.

Independent Alliance members have told Fine Gael they will not engage in further government talks with negotiators until a final deal is hammered out with Fianna Fáil.

Fianna Fáil may limit any deal with Fine Gael to as little as a Dáil statement from Micheál Martin, instead of a written agreement on issues vital to ensuring the next government lasts, in a move that could end Independents’ support.

Independent TDs have put it up to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to form a government or go back to the country for a second election.

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.

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.

Independents have demanded a written agreement providing a commitment to supporting minority government from both of the main parties before voting for a taoiseach.

Micheál Martin has said he is confident of a major breakthrough on government formation as his party goes into serious talks with Fine Gael today.

Furious Independent TDs may now not engage in any more talks with either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.

Micheál Martin’s outright rejection of a coalition offer by Taoiseach Enda Kenny has thrown government formation talks into disarray and increased the chances of a second election.