17 opposition TDs have arrived in Government Buildings for round-table talks with Fine Gael about forming a government.

The talks will include the Green Party and 15 independents, who are split into five different groupings - the Independent Alliance, an informal Rural Alliance, the Healy-Rae brothers, and two others: Katherine Zappone and Maureen O'Sullivan.

But one of Fine Gael's leading negotiators has admitted the support of Fianna Fail will still be needed for government.

Simon Coveney said that while today's talks would involve groups who were happy to participate in government, further talks would later be needed with parties outside of the government to seek their support.

The failure of FF and FG parties to speak before now was criticised by many of those attending today's talks.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly filed this report for Today FM's National Lunchtime News: