A Green Party TD says her party feels that their time would be better spent "focusing completely" on the coronavirus pandemic rather than getting involved in full government formation talks.
Neasa Hourigan says she "cannot go into a room and argue about solar panels when people are dying".
Her party yesterday called for the different parties to suspend government talks and form a temporary national government to deal with the crisis.
It comes as Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are due to begin detailed negotiations on a potential coalition.
Sinn Féin has said it will seriously consider supporting the Green Party's call.
The party's justice spokesperson Martin Kenny said: "At the moment, our focus is on trying to deal with this crisis... and we feel that the government at present is not dealing with it adequately.
"As to whether or not a national government is the answer... the jury is out on that and we'll have to consider it very seriously."
The Irish Times reports that Fianna Fáil has rejected the proposal for a national government - with a party spokesperson suggesting it would be a way of "making government less effective".
"We already collaborate"
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan said the reality of forming a majority government is complex.
She observed: "A government is meant to last for five years, and that needs a proper programme for government.
"That would require a certain amount of talks: if you're going do it properly, and not fast track it or cobble it together.
"I cannot go into a room and argue about solar panels when people are dying".
Deputy Hourigan said the Greens believe their time would be "better spent focusing completely on the coronavirus", and that everybody in the Dáil has something to offer when dealing with the crisis.
She argued: "We already collaborate, we already negotiate in how we run our country - the principle of a cross-party approach has already been recognised, because we have the party leaders going into a room every day with the Chief Medical Officer.
"I think it's really disappointing that in a time when we're in the middle of a crisis that we're going to spend the next few days divvying up ministries."
She also said her party never promised voters that they wouldn't go into government with Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael or Sinn Féin - and that their involvement in government would be based on policy.
