'Ridiculous' that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil not talking to each other

Pressure is mounting on Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to open talks on government options as Independents shy away from a deal without agreement between the parties.

Both parties are set to outline Cabinet positions and commitments to local services in talks with rural TDs this week as efforts continue to win their support.

Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny will tomorrow update the Dáil, as well as the Fine Gael parliamentary party, on talks to form a government but no result is expected until April 6, when a vote for Taoiseach will take place, or possibly even for weeks after that.