Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are preparing to put together a "grand coalition" in an effort to form a government, according to a new poll.
It is reported the two parties will step up efforts this week to put together a deal involving the Green Party.
According to a new Business Post/Red C poll, 26% of voters would favour a coalition between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and smaller parties.
A further 26% want Sinn Féin to lead a government involving left-wing parties.
19% of voters say they would prefer a coalition between Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and smaller parties.
The poll shows that just 15% of voters want a second election.
It found that 49% of Fine Gael supporters believe that such a "grand coalition" between the two parties is the best way of forming a new government.
46% of Fianna Fáil supporters believe the same.
When it comes to Sinn Féin supporters, the majority (61%) want to see their party lead a government with other parties such as the Greens, Labour and the Social Democrats.
Meanwhile, Green Party supporters do not have a clear preference when it comes to coalition options.
The Business Post reports that 31% favour a Sinn Féin-led government, followed by 29% for a grand coalition and 25% in favour of a Sinn Féin-Fianna Fáil government.
The survey on 3,700 voters was carried out online between last Wednesday and Friday.
