Talks on the formation of a new Government resume today.

The Taoiseach cut short his St Patrick’s Day trip to Washington to hold a series of meetings in Dublin, before he travels to Brussels for the EU leaders summit.

The Social Democrats have ruled out any coalition with either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil, saying talks involving themselves and independent TDs are only delaying the inevitable, of a so-called “Grand Coalition”.

Róisín Shortall is the Social Democrats Co-Leader: “The Social Democrats can’t see any other possibility, of putting together a sustainable Government that doesn’t involve, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael at least reaching an accommodation.

“Whether that is to enter a grand coalition or for one party supports the other in a minority situation but it cannot happen unless these two parties get together and start talks.”