Election looms as coalition talks in disarray

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.

The two leaders openly traded bitter remarks last night as the fallout over the rejected offer saw Independent TDs threatening to pull the plug on minority government talks.

If this last option to form a government is exhausted, Mr Kenny may be forced to seek the President’s permission for another general election.