A series of independent TDs have suggested they will NOT support any candidates in this week's votes on a new Taoiseach.

Both the Independent Alliance and the so-called Rural Alliance are likely to abstain in the votes on Wednesday.

The Independent Alliance is meeting with Fine Gael this afternoon to discuss its response to the alliance's "Charter for Change".

However, it says it would be unfair to make any decision on which leader to support for Taoiseach, when it has only been able to hold one day of meetings with Fianna Fáil, but over 40 hours with Fine Gael.

The Rural Alliance, which has met Fianna Fail this morning, has also hinted it would be too early to affirm its support to either of the two major leaders - particularly when Enda Kenny and Michael Martin have yet to meet.

The two leaders will only discuss potential government arrangements after the outcome of Wednesday's votes for a new Taoiseach are known.

Many independents have hit out at the failure of the two large parties to begin any talks over the weekend.

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