Four Cabinet seats — the price Fine Gael must pay for power

Enda Kenny will have to concede four Cabinet seats to secure the support of Independent TDs in his bid to be re-elected Taoiseach.

As talks with the Independent Alliance and the ‘Rural Five’ recommence this morning, Mr Kenny and his ministers will have to go beyond their desired number of three, if a government is to be formed.

It is understood that Katherine Zappone will be in Cabinet, as will one member of the group of Rural TDs.