Election closer as Enda Kenny stays firm

Enda Kenny has ignored a request for a roundtable meeting on forming a minority government and instead issued fresh invitations to talks, insisting a partnership coalition is the only option.

The resolute position of the acting Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael now seriously throws the prospect of a government being formed into doubt.

His refusal to entertain the idea of a minority government came after the Independent Alliance moved to end the bitter deadlock between Mr Kenny and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, issuing an appeal for both leaders to sit down with them and discuss how this might work.