Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have met to discuss Government formation, as well as separately meeting with the Social Democrats.

In a brief joint statement Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael described the meeting of their negotiating teams this evening as positive and constructive.

The parties will meet over the coming days as they continue to discuss a programme for Government.

Taoiseach Simon Harris wants the new Government to be up and running within weeks.

“My conversations with the Tánaiste are confidential but I am satisfied that there is a way forward here, subject to being able to get a serious policy framework agreed in the coming weeks,” he said.

“I do think it’s important that we get a new Government in place for January.”

Deciding on "next steps"

Separately, the Social Democrats will decide tomorrow whether or not to continue with Government formation talks.

It follows separate discussions today with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris.

Speaking outside Government buildings this evening, Deputy Soc Dems Leader Cian O'Callaghan said a collective decision would be made at the party's parliamentary meeting tomorrow afternoon.

“We’re going to update the parliamentary party tomorrow on the talks we’ve had with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and indeed Sinn Féin and Labour last week,” he said.

“At that point we will decide on what our next steps are.

“We honestly haven’t gotten to the point of considering, if we were in opposition, what we would be doing.”

Meanwhile, privately, Labour appears to have ruled itself out of Government, while a group of Regional Independents met this afternoon to discuss how they want to approach formal negotiations.

Leinster House, Dail Eireann, Kildare Street, Dublin. Image: Alamy