Sinn Féin is accusing Fianna Fáil of ignoring the wishes of the electorate as the formation of the next government remains up in the air.

Yesterday, Micheál Martin’s party joined Fine Gael in saying it would work with anyone except Sinn Féin.

Based on the numbers as they currently stand, that will likely shut Mary Lou McDonald's party out – with a grand coalition or new minority government led by Fianna Fáil potentially on the cards.

Change

Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny said Fianna Fáil’s stance, “displays a certain immaturity.”

“They need to wake up and realise that there has been an election,” he said. “That they and Fine Gael both lost seats in the election and lost quite a number of seats.”

“That other parties gained seats and that the parties that gained seats were the parties that were seeking a different way of doing business and different type of government and a changed government.”

He said they have displayed a "certain disregard for the opinions and the views of the general public out there.”

“Fianna Fáil needs to sit up and listen and be prepared to accept that they will have to be part of providing at least some sense of hope for people out there who want a change.”

Second election

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said his TDs are unanimously behind the decision not to work with Sinn Féin.

He has refused to rule out a second general election as the parties scramble to find a working majority.

Following a meeting with Deputy Martin last night, the Social Democrats said: “We had a cordial and respectful conversation but our concern is it didn’t sound a lot like change.”

His party is also due to meet with the Greens and Labour – with a meeting with Fine Gael scheduled for next week.

Negotiations

A number of talks are continuing between the different parties today.

People Before Profit and Rise TD Paul Murphy will meet the Green Party leader Eamon Ryan later to try and form an alliance.

Fine Gael has said it will wait and see if Sinn Féin can form and negotiate a “republican socialist programme for government” and said the party must work to “keep the many promises” it has made to the electorate.