The Tánaiste Simon Coveney has said Fine Gael remains open to working with Fianna Fáil in a bid to form the next government.
He reiterated the comments made by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar by once again ruling out going into government with Sinn Féin.
Speaking from the count centre in Cork, he said: “The priority was to try and form a government that didn’t involve Fianna Fáil or Sinn Féin.
“Clearly, I think, the numbers don’t look like that is going to be possible, so we will have to wait and see how the numbers develop in the weeks ahead.
“We are open to talk to any party, but we won’t be going into a coalition with Sinn Féin.”
"We won't be forming a government with Sinn Féin." @simoncoveney has arrived at #CKSC. #GE2020
pic.twitter.com/fpPRal5CRA— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) February 9, 2020
Mr Coveney said his party has never ruled out working with Fianna Fáil.
Hre added: “The Taoiseach has been clear on that and I think I have been clear on it for a number of years.
“The country needs a government. Fine Gael will work towards the creation of a government. If we have to move into opposition, so be it.
“But we, of course, would be open to talking with Fianna Fáil and indeed with other parties that believe they are compatible with Fine Gael in terms of forming a balanced stable government that can protect the country’s interests.”
The outgoing Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe was also adamant that Fine Gael would not enter into talks with Mary Lou McDonald.
Mr Donohoe, who is fighting for a seat in Dublin Central, says his party doesn't agree with Sinn Féin on a number of levels.
Earlier, the Taoiseach said he would be betraying the people that voted for them if they tried to form a coalition with Sinn Féin.
"The pizza will be cold by the time this is done." @LeoVaradkar is waiting on results in #dublinwest. #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/xMz4piHxoE
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) February 9, 2020
Speaking to Newstalk, Mr Varadkar said the parties are too far apart on a range of issues to form a working partnership.
He said: “Nobody can be forced into some sort of forced marriage or forced coalition.
“In order to form a government together, you have to have roughly the same views around the courts and the criminal justice system; around how the economy and society should be run and also how democracy should function.
“That is what makes my party Fine Gael not compatible with Sinn Féin."
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the country needs a new government that does not involve either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.
Ms McDonald said that she had spoken to other parties today including the Greens and Solidarity - People Before Profit.
