Finally...
The people of Ireland have known for a while that our best chance of forming a government in this Dáil was if the two largest political parties came together.
After dodging the issue over the past number of weeks, it seems that the pair are finally sitting down next week for talks about forming a government.
Both parties released short statements last night saying that negotiation teams would begin talks early next week.
"Following exploratory talks this morning, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil negotiating teams have agreed to meet early next week to discuss how a viable minority government would work," a Fine Gael statement said.
It's difficult to know how a potential government might work between Fine Gael (50 seats) and Fianna Fáil (43 seats) would work but it's understood that Taoiseach Enda Kenny's preference is for an equal partnership government.
Although it's unclear if Fine Gael would support a Fianna Fáil led government if the Michael Martin's party could secure the support of enough Independent TDs.
The parties announcement is a positive one for the people of Ireland following revelations from the Department of Finance that another General Election would cost the state €40 million.
Money that would be much better spent on our health service than on a group of people squabbling in the Dáil.
