Caretaker Taoiseach Enda Kenny has offered Micheál Martin, leader of Fianna Fáil, a full and equal partnership in government.
Both men had been nominated to seat of Taoiseach by their respective parties earlier in the afternoon only to both be roundly defeated, with independent TDs and Labour TDs largely abstaining or voting against.
According to the Irish Times, the leaders of Ireland’s two largest parties are now in their first face-to-face talks since February’s general election in order for Kenny to offer Martin an equal role for Fianna Fáil in a coalition that will also involve some independents.
The meeting commenced at 8.30pm this evening and is being attended by Kenny, Martin and a note-taker in Leinster House.
The move comes as both parties look increasingly unable to form a government without the support of the other.
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