Talks on the formation of a minority government are due to continue this morning, after some progress was reported yesterday.

The Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald seems to have ruled out the prospect of a deal being finalised, in time for Enda Kenny to be re-elected Taoiseach this week.

Meanwhile, the Tánaiste Joan Burton has written to Labour party members to say she's preparing for a fresh election.

She seems to have ruled out the idea of Labour re-joining Fine Gael in government.