The Green Party and Fianna Fáil will engage in a last-ditch effort to strike a coalition deal after Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Greens leader Trevor Sargent met this evening ahead of Thursday's Dáil vote for a new taoiseach.
John Gormley (left) and Dan Boyle of the Green Party on Friday
After intensive discussions involving the respective negotiating teams today, Mr Ahern and Mr Sargent met this evening at Government Buildings for well over an hour and agreed to further talks tomorrow.
It is understood the Greens are prepared to convene a special delgate conference on Wednesday at which any proposal will be voted upon. The party leadership require a two-thirds majority in favour if they propose entering a coalition.
It is understood that agreement on a some outstanding issues was achieved but that a final deal had not been struck.
Speaking after meeting the Taoiseach Mr Sargent said: " "There are some outstanding issues. We have made some progress."
Fianna Fáil neogtiator Seamus Brennan said progress had been made but more work needed to be done.
Tonight's developments follow a phone conversation between Mr Ahern and Mr Sargent this morning, described as a "courtesy call".
Later Fianna Fáil's response to a document the Greens submitted yesterday detailing the unresolved issues between the two sides was considered and by the afternoon Greens' negotiator Dan Boyle said the parties were getting close to a deal.