Coalition talks ‘after vote for taoiseach’

Senior Fine Gael ministers have suggested that talks on forming a government will begin in earnest with Fianna Fáil after tomorrow’s vote on nominating a taoiseach.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan said yesterday that he did not expect any substantial deal to be agreed with any TDs or party ahead of the vote tomorrow. He said he then expected talks about forming a government to move onto Fianna Fáil.

His comments come after the Irish Examiner reported this week Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is willing to look at giving Fianna Fáil half the cabinet seats and to consider rotating the position of Taoiseach in any deal.