Independent TDs have been handed an ultimatum ahead of today'Â’s vote for Taoiseach - after being told that today is their last chance to keep Enda Kenny out of power.

The warning came from Fianna Fáil after a dramatic breakdown of its talks with Fine Gael last night.

The only certainly today is that for the third time, the Dáil will fail to elect a new Taoiseach - with each of the two large parties still opposing the other.

But the stakes in todayÂ’s vote are now very high.

Last night the talks between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil broke down - a scheduled meeting never took place - and the two parties are now briefing against each other, resuming their battle to lead a minority government.

But last night Micheal Martin dramatically upped the ante - telling Independent TDs that today was their last chance to vote for him as Taoiseach, and to stop Enda Kenny from returning to power.

If the ultimatum works, it could force Fine Gael into a major climbdown and agree to support a Fianna Fáíl government.

If it doesnÂ’t, the Independents will then be told itÂ’s Enda or bust.

But whichever is the case, tensions are rising - and itÂ’s not at all clear whether anyone can strike a deal to avoid a second election.