Fine Gael's Director of Elections says speculating on the make-up of a coalition at this stage is just 'folly'.

Partnership between Brian Hayes' party and Fianna Fail is being discussed as one of the most likely options after the count has been completed, but both parties ruled it out during the campaign.

Brian Hayes has also defended party leader Enda Kenny in light of the Fine Gael vote so far, saying he led a very successful government for the last 5 years.

In any case, he says the first call Fine Gael should make would be to their outgoing coalition partners:

However, former Fianna Fail Justice Minister Dermot Ahern says people on all sides of the political divide may have to eat humble pie after this election, in the interest of the country.

During the election Fianna Fail said it would not enter government with Fine Geal

But Dermot Ahern says now the two main political parities have a duty to sit down and talk:

 Fine Gael's General Secretary believes his party could have between 44 and 47 seats, once the counts are completed.

That's down from 67 seats in the last Dail, and Tom Curran has admitted the picture emerging so far is worse than any scenario his team had prepared for.

He was asked today if he had any regrets about the party's campaign: