Fine Gael and Labour are preparing for a third day of negotiations aimed at putting together a new coalition government.
Both sides are hoping to have some kind of framework in place by the weekend.
New comments from the German Chancellor will be hanging over today's talks - Angela Merkel has said it's not possible to artificially lower the interest rate charged on our bailout deal.
Meanwhile Sinn Fein Deputy elect Padraig MacLoughlainn says Labour should not form a government claiming a Fine Gael / Fianna Fail alliance would be better for the country.
He says a strong left movement needs to be established and Labour should be part of it:
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