Any minority government led by Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil would need to have assurances from the non-governing party that it would be allowed to govern and implement its programme, according to Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton.

As both of the larger parties prepare for a series of meetings this week with Independents and small parties, Bruton has warned there is no point in forming a minority government that could fall within a few months.

“There is no point in having a government that is continually looking over its shoulder at when the mat will be pulled out from under it,” he said.

“It wouldn’t offer stability and it wouldn’t offer the opportunity to implement a programme that could be agreed,” Bruton added.

Mixed signals

Bruton's comments come after mixed signals from other Fine Gael Ministers on Tuesday. Minister for Health Leo Varadkar told The Irish Times there was "no way" his party would support a minority Fianna Fáil government, while Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney, who is in Brussels for EU talks, declined to rule out such an outcome.

Coveney said it would be difficult for Fianna Fáil to form a stable government but said he would not give “any absolutes today” when asked his view on supporting a minority administration led by Micheál Martin.

Another Fine Gael Minister who did not wish to be identified added that both big parties knew they would have to talk to one another about government formation, in whatever guise.

“Both parties accept that they can only lead a government with Independent support and also support from the other party,” he said.

Sources in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael categorically dismissed reports over the weekend about initial contacts on a grand coalition by people connected with the two parties.

Real discussions

Any real discussions between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are unlikely to take place until after March 22nd, when the Dáil meets again.

At that point, the Taoiseach will provide the Dáil with an update on government formation.

Some sources in both parties say discussions are unlikely until after April 6th, when the Dáil will again hear nominations for taoiseach.

All parties agree it is unlikely the House will elect a new taoiseach on that date.

Separate programmes of meetings between the two bigger parties and the small parties and Independents will recommence on Wednesday at Leinster House.