The Fine Gael Minister Simon Coveney has said he believes forming the next government will be a very difficult process.

He added it was too early to start blaming anyone for the drop in Fine Gael's vote.

The Agriculture Minister also indicated a coalition with Fianna Fáil would not be an easy marriage

"We need to have an honest discussion as to what Fine Gael can do to respect the choice that people have made and to see whether we can be part of a government in the next few weeks or months," he said.

"I think that will be a very difficult process, I have to say. There's no obvious, stable government.

"People will talk about Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. That isn't an easy match-up in my view, to have two parties that are similar in size, both who feel they should be bigger than the other."