Update 2.45pm:Former senior advisor to Fine Geal Frank Flannery has hinted it might be time to end the era of civil war politics.

Frank Flannery indicated if no party gets over 60 seats, Fianna Fáil and Fine Geal may have to listen to what the electorate has said, and enter into talks.

Early exit polls have suggested this may be the only way to form a viable government after this election.

Earlier:

Former Fianna Fáil Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has said that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have a duty to sit down and talk about a possible government given the emerging picture across the country.

Final tallies are indicating the government parties Fine Gael and Labour will be far short of the seats necessary to form a government, and that a FG-FF coalition may be the only option to secure the seats required.

Fianna Fáil said during the election campaign that it would not enter government with Fine Gael.

Dermot Ahern said: "I think there's a duty on the two main political parties to sit down in the interests of the country, not of their political parties....even though it has been unthinkable up to now.

"There may very well be political downsides for Fianna Fáil, and for Fine Gael, in coming together, but I think they do have a duty."