An Independent TD says allowing Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to share power would be "absolutely scandalous".
The claim comes from TD Shane Ross, who says the parties would share the right to appoint cronies to important roles.
Deputy Ross says the two parties have many similarities - including their wishes to give high-ranking jobs to party supporters.
The TD says "they'd agree about everything politically, but they'd also understand this abuse of patronage - and they would share out that patronage very comfortably and very easily".
Deputy Ross is one of the founders of the Independent Alliance - a group of independent politicians who will contest the upcoming election under the same banner. It is not a political party.
Shane Ross says the alliance is designed to make sure that the next government abides by certain political principles.
