Government talks: Micheál Martin set to concede defeat as Independent move backfires

Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin are set to finally agree on a Fine Gael-led minority government today after a third Dáil taoiseach nomination vote failed to see the Fianna Fáil leader close the gap on his rival.

Mr Martin is expected to concede defeat in his bid for power in a formal meeting with Mr Kenny, paving the way for the Fine Gael leader to be elected taoiseach during a Dáil vote on Wednesday — if he can win over Independents’ support.

The apparent breakthrough came after a Fianna Fáil demand for Independents to reveal who they will support backfired and failed to see any significant movement from the unaligned TDs.