Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have agreed to hold talks next week about the formation of a minority government.
The agreement comes after preliminary discussions between the two parties earlier today.
It's not clear whether Fine Gael is now willing to support a Fianna Fáil-led government if it wins the support of enough independent TDs.
But the meeting could help bring an end to six weeks of political vacuum - by making it clear whether any kind of minority government will have enough support to survive for more than a few weeks.
