The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has conceded it is likely to be next week before programme for government negotiations conclude.
A deadline had been set for the end of the week, but that will now be missed.
There are large areas of agreement already between the parties - with the low hanging fruit parts of negotiation having been wrapped up pretty quickly.
However there are a number of key sticking points still outstanding.
Among them a planned rise in the pension age, how the next Government will build houses amid a dispute over the Land Development Agency, how to reduce emissions in agriculture and the future of transport in Ireland.
At some point, the most difficult issues will be sent upstairs for the party leaders to try to deal with.
Independent TDs the parties also want onside had been told they would be brought into the process on Thursday or Friday.
Mr Varadkar also told a meeting of his Parliamentary Party he is confident the country can move to phase two of the lockdown exit plan next week.
Speaking earlier to Pat Kenny, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he expected a new government to be in place this month.
“As I understand it, over the weekend, they were drafting most of the papers and most of the issues,” he said.
“I don’t think it matters whether it is this Friday or not. I think once it is by somewhere mid-month, maybe into the third week of this month that a government of formed.
“It seems realistic that a government will be formed in the month of June and I think that will happen.”
Reporting by Sean Defoe
