Fianna Fáil sounds out partners

DISCUSSIONS between Fianna Fáil and its potential partners in government will not begin in earnest until later this week, although soundings were taken from independents yesterday, the Irish Examiner understands.

Fine Gael says leader Enda Kenny can still forge an alternative alliance.

His spokesman agreed it was not the ‘odds-on favourite’ coalition, but pointed out that the three Rainbow parties had 77 seats compared to Fianna Fáil’s 78 seats.