It is likely to be mid-June before any new government is formed, according to sources across all parties in Leinster House.

The Greens, Labour and the Social Democrats are all considering dire new economic warnings from the government.

The process of forming a government in 2016 was roundly criticised for taking far too long – with more than 70 days between polling day and Enda Kenny being re-elected as Taoiseach.

(Left to right) Fine Gael leader Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, Solidarity People Before Profit politician Richard Boyd Barrett, Social Democrats joint leader Roisin Shortall, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Irish Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin as they take to the stage for a seven way leaders debate at the National University of Ireland Galway | Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images

It is now day 74 since Election 2020 and we are being told that any new regime is still more than a month away.

There has been progress, with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil coming together in an historic agreement to enter government together.

But yesterday's economic forecasts will have done little to convince a third party to join their coalition.

The worst recession since the 1930s, record levels of unemployment and a €23bn hole blown in the budget means no one can go in with a shopping list of demands for the next five years.

The Social Democrats and Labour have signalled privately that they are highly unlikely to enter government.

Green Party Leaders Eamon Ryan and Clare Bailey speaking to the media outside Leinster House about today’s meeting with Sinn Fein and the talks ahead. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

That leaves the Greens, who have taken a week already to put together a detailed response to the pitch from Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin.

That has led to some in the bigger parties believing Eamon Ryan's party is seriously considering entering government.

But even if they turned around and started programme for government talks tomorrow, we would be weeks away from a potential deal, with no new government likely until mid-June.

Reporting from Newstalk Political Correspondent Seán Defoe