The Fianna Fail leader says a deal on forming a Government may not be reached tonight, but that the parties will 'hopefully get there'.
Negotiating teams from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens are discussing the final steps needed to reach a deal on a programme for government.
The Greens say there are still issues to be ironed out, including transport, housing and finance.
Roderic O’Gorman, one of the Green negotiators emerged from Agriculture House saying a deal tonight isn’t likely, he says there are issues in transport that need to be ironed out. pic.twitter.com/yOlb6ICGsL
— Ben Finnegan (@_BenFinnegan) June 13, 2020
Speaking on his way into a meeting with other parties this afternoon, Micheál Martin said: "It may not be tonight, but we're continuing to work... hopefully we'll get there."
Both Fianna Fáil and the Greens will need to hold postal ballots on any agreement as their party members need to sign off if a deal is reached.
'Substantial progress'
Fianna Fáil's Thomas Byrne told Newstalk Breakfast with Susan Keogh that "substantial progress" has now been made in key areas, and the process in now in its final stages.
He said: "Agriculture was discussed last night, and there is progress being made on that an in relation to housing too.
"I'd be confident today will tell a significant story."
Deputy Byrne said some of the issues remaining are "eminently sortable", and that the parties are clearly now moving towards a conclusion.
He noted: "There's give and take on every side - that's what any negotiation is about."
The Fianna Fáil education spokesperson stressed that his party has not called for any department to be abolished, although reiterated that his party has called for a department of higher education.
He said: "There's no limit on the number of government departments, so it doesn't necessarily mean any department will be abolished.
"I was involved in the negotiations on children's issues myself, and I'm confident there will be an outcome here people will be satisfied with."
