Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has unveiled his party's team to lead government formation talks.

The parliamentary party met for the second time since the election on Wednesday.

The steering group will be made up of Dara Calleary, Anne Rabbitte, Michael McGrath, Barry Cowen, Darragh O'Brien and Thomas Byrne.

In a statement, Mr Martin said: "As we move from informal contact with a range of parties into a more formal process of negotiation on the formation of a government, I am pleased to announce the appointment of a negotiations steering group to meet with parties on behalf of Fianna Fáil.

"This group will co-ordinate meetings with other parties and independents and work to develop agreed policy action to deal with the range of crises facing the country.

"They will also co-ordinate input from the front bench and the parliamentary party."

He added: "This will not be an easy process, but it is a hugely important one.

"We will approach the process in a positive, calm and constructive way, as we work to deliver a change of government and a new approach in the areas of housing, health, cost of living and climate change."

It comes as People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett earlier said it was 'logical' that his party would support Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald in her bid to become Taoiseach.

Representatives from Solidarity - People Before Profit met with Sinn Féin on Wednesday as government formation talks intensify.

The first sitting of the 33rd Dáil will take place on Thursday, where TDs will be asked to vote on who will become the next Taoiseach.

The leaders of the largest parties - Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and Fine Gael - are all expected to be among those nominated, although no candidate yet commands a majority of support in the Dáil.

Leo Varadkar and his ministers will continue in a caretaker capacity until a new government is officially in place.