A fifth day of counting in the Longford/Westmeath constituency will resume at 2.30pm after it was adjourned early this morning.

Legal advisers to both Fine Gael and Labour have been called into the count centre in Kenagh, where it's understood just a handful of votes separate outgoing TDs James Bannon and Willie Penrose.

Fine Gael's adviser - Solicitor Kevin O'Higgins - said last night that the party would take legal action if they felt their candidate had been wronged.

Just two seats remain to be filled in the 32nd Dáil.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach last night appeared to signal he's prepared to talk with Fianna Fail about the formation of a new coalition government.

Enda Kenny said last night that Fine Gael wants to form a new coalition, and it's prepared to engage "fully and inclusively" with other parties.

That's being read as a signal he's prepared to talk to Fianna Fail and possibly Sinn Fein.

Deputy John Halligan of The Independent Alliance says his grouping will talk to all sides: