Counts and recounts are continuing this morning in the last three Dáil constituencies.

But the business of forming a new government could get underway today when Enda Kenny asks Fine Gael ministers for permission to speak to smaller parties.

The outgoing Fine Gael and Labour cabinet - which includes three people who have now lost their seats in the Dáil - will meet at 2:30 this afternoon.

Before that the Taoiseach will meet his Fine Gael ministers separately - and is expected to seek their approval to begin an approach to independents and smaller parties to see if a new coalition can be put together.

There are now just six seats left to the fill in the Dáil, with three constituencies not finished yet.

Longford-Westmeath, where it is still too close to call between Fine Gael’s James Bannon and Labour’s Willie Penrose. The Fine Gael candidate was granted a full recount which will begin this morning.

Also continuing this morning is the recount in Dublin South Central, where disputed votes will be considered. Brid Smith of People Before Profit remains narrowly ahead of Fianna Fáil’s Catherine Ardagh.

Dublin Bay North is still ongoing - Fianna Fáil’s Sean Haughey was elected last night, and there are now 900 votes separating the four candidates looking for three seats.