"Scoping discussions" are taking place today between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on forming a new government.
The parties' deputy leaders, Simon Coveney and Dara Calleary, are meeting to examine areas where they agree - as well as how to address key policy differences.
Following last night's statement from both parties that 'detailed an in-depth' discussions on government formation would begin, today the heavy lifting of both sides actually talking gets underway.
Formal talks cannot begin until Leo Varadkar gets approval from his parliamentary party next week, but scoping meetings are taking place in the meantime.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is a senior member of the Fine Gael negotiating team.
Speaking today, he observed: "At the best of times this would be a very demanding political exercise - but we are truly in extraordinary times that will influence the discussions we will have.
"In terms of what priorities I might be raising... from my experience of these discussions, I know it is not helpful if they hear about my priorities through [the media]."
It's expected proper policy talks will get underway tomorrow.
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil's frontbench TDs are also due to meet tomorrow, and it's set to be a fractious affair - with some TDs unhappy at any coalition with their old rivals in Fine Gael.
Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuív has already publicly called for a national government to be put in place on a short term basis to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
He said many members of his party are opposed to "any coalition" with Fine Gael, and that the current situation won't allow time for the necessary consideration of wider policy issues.
8. From my meetings with FF members, there are many within the party who are opposed to any coalition with FG having campaigned for a change in policy and direction after 9 years. They do not believe that this arrangement would represent change. (8/11)
— Éamon Ó Cuív (@eamonocuiv) March 10, 2020
Michael McGrath - a member of Fianna Fáil's negotiating team - earlier said the coronavirus outbreak has "undoubtedly" added urgency to government formation efforts, and that it is "not sustainable" for a caretaker government to be dealing with the State response.
Green Party TDs, meanwhile, meet this afternoon to decide their position, after Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin all said they want to continue discussions with them.
