Kerry Deputy Michael Healy Rae has said he is not putting himself forward as a new Minister for Rural Affairs - but is open to the responsibilities a member of the Dáil holds.

Deputy Healy Rae and his brother Danny have met with both the Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to discuss the formation of the new Government.

Independent TDs are expected to be crucial components of new Dáil - and deputies Healy Rae will meet with their supporters tomorrow night to make a decision on who they will back.

Michael Healy Rae is welcoming the fact that negotiations have begun: “Thanks be to God, these people are after waking up and smelling the roses and realising that they have to talk to each other.

“There is an onus of responsibility on every elected member of Dáil Eireann to deal with their mandate properly and responsibly.

“And that is, if your phone rings you answer it and you talk to the person that is on the other side of the phone, which is what we are doing in a very proper and workman like way.”