Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are expected to agree their respective party positions today on who should become the next Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil.

A vote will take place on the position tomorrow, with Verona Murphy the proposed candidate by the Regional Independent Group, who the larger parties may be relying on to form the next Government.

Fine Gael sources have said the party could rally behind Deputy Murphy who ran for the party in the 2019 by-election in Wexford when she was expelled following comments about asylum seekers.

Simon Harris would not comment on that speculation saying it is a secret ballot and his TDs will not be whipped.

Fianna Fáil look set to have three TD's in contention, with former Ceann Sean O Fearghail, John McGuinness and Michael Moynihan.

Aengus O Snodaigh is set to be on the ballot for Sinn Féin.

Government formation

Meanwhile, Government formation talks are set to wrap up on Friday or next Monday for a break before Christmas.

It's not known when they will be back at this stage but one source suggests it could be January 6th.

Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael would have to get approval from the respective memberships to go into Government together - a process which will take up to two weeks.

That means it’s unlikely a Government will be formed before January 22nd.

Departments

There is some concern about splitting Justice with a new Domestic Affairs Department because the Garda Commissioner should only have one direct contact in the event of something like the Dublin Riots happening again.

It is accepted that migration will be moved out of the Department of Children and Disability which itself could just be a standalone department.

While there has been no examples coming from the talks, the possible merging of some departments is also being considered.

Leinster House, Dail Eireann, Kildare St Dublin which houses the Irish National Parliament. Image: Alamy