Update 2.36pm:

The acting Justice Minister has said Fine Geal and Fianna Fail are meeting this afternoon to bring talks on Government formation to a conclusion.

Today’s discussion is focusing on housing and rent supports.

Fianna Fail’s Barry Cowen has denied they have not been giving enough time to the issue and said they had already discussed the matter.

Earlier:

Negotiators from Fine Gael have said they hope they can finalise a Government deal with Fianna Fáil today.

The two groups have returned to Trinity College to try and put the finishing touches to an agreement.

Fianna Fáil has said it is still keen to ensure a deal is reached on issues like housing supply and rent supplement.

Fine Gael’s Leo Varadkar has denied his comments yesterday – describing Fianna Fáil’s policies as ‘insane’ – will scupper a deal: “No, no I heard a number of people from Fianna Fáil making personal remarks about me during the day but, in the last two months I haven’t made any personal remarks about anyone in Fianna Fáil or any of the Independents.

“I don’t think that type of thing is conducive to an agreement.

“Today is about business.”