Talks aimed at forming a new government continue today as negotiations intensify.
Representatives of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party meet later today - for a plenary session - with the aim of trying to agree a number of policies.
The Fine Gael parliamentary party is expected to receive an update on the talks when it meets later this evening.
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern says he thinks a government will be formed this month.
"As I understand it, over the weekend they were drafting most of the papers on most of the issues.
"I don't think it matters if it's this Friday or not, I think once it's by the summer mid months that a government is formed.
"It seems realistic that a government is formed in the month of June, and I think that will happen, but there are obviously some difficult items."
