Green Party hopeful that plan for Government can be in place by end of May

The negotiating team from Eamon Ryan's party met with the Government officials to discuss the current state of Ireland's environmental performance and possible steps that could be taken to cut emissions

There was a renewed sense of optimism within the Green Party negotiating team after briefings with officials from the Department of Environment and Climate Action on Monday.

Sources said that despite the day beginning "under a cloud", negotiations were positive and left some TDs more convinced than not that a deal will be done.