The Cabinet is due to meet this afternoon to discuss possible options for the government following the weekend election results.

Returning Coalition ministers and those who failed to get re-elected will meet in a caretaker capacity.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny is expected to ask his Fine Gael Ministers for permission to begin talks with smaller parties to form a government.

Fine Gael Deputy leader James Reilly, former Communications Minister Alex White and former Super Junior Minister Ged Nash are no longer TDs.

However, under the Constitution the outgoing Taoiseach and Ministers remain in their roles until a new Taoiseach is elected and a government formed.

Meanwhile, the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is calling for radical reform in the Dáil ahead of any government formation talks.

A new poll has found that more people prefer to see Mr Martin become Taoiseach rather than the the present Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

37% of respondents to the poll carried out by Amárach Reseach for last night's Claire Byrne Live programme on RTE supported Mr Martin becoming the next Taoiseach, compared to 23% for Mr Kenny.