It's understood that discussions between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's negotiating teams went well this evening.

It's expected the parties will agree a framework of policies that could be implemented in a Fine Gael-led minority Government. Speaking this evening, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that elected representatives have to be mindful of their responsibilities to the electorate.

But although initial reports indicate that the negotiations went well,  the exact details of the meeting have yet to be released.

It was announced over the weekend that the parties would meet to discuss the possibility of forming a minority Government after previous talks about a partnership Government failed. That particular meeting between Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin lasted just 10 minutes which amounted to Fine Gael's offer being rejected.

Independent TD Michael Healy Rae says he welcomes tonight's meeting and hopes the six week wait for a Government is almost over:

"I hope that the talks are going successfully and that they will conclude in the very near future, hopefully maybe by tomorrow or maybe Wednesday and that an agreement will be put in place. For God's sake, at the end of the day, let the people get what they deserve and that's a Government and politicians working properly on their behalf."