The key issues still outstanding in parties’ bid to form government

It is now 47 days since the election and 32 days since the Dáil first met on March 10. Given the failure to elect a Taoiseach on that day and again on April 6, tomorrow’s vote will mark the third attempt by the political parties to form a Government.

While the last government has remained in situ on an acting basis, it has been precluded from tackling many of the main issues which are affecting the country.

With talks between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil now heading into their third day, it is unlikely that a full programme for government will be agreed upon, but there are a number of key issues which will need to be agreed for a deal to succeed.