The Taoiseach says he would be willing to work with Fianna Fáil to form a government after next month's general election if it's the "only way" to form a stable government.
Leo Varadkar made the comment in tonight's Virgin Media head-to-head leaders' debate with Michéal Martin.
The Fine Gael leader suggested that he believes both men would need to be 'grown ups' if the numbers show a Fianna Fáil - Fine Gael coalition is the only path forward.
Varadkar says he would work with Fianna Fáil in confidence or supply OR coalition if that's the only way the numbers could work #VMTVBigDebate
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) January 22, 2020
He argued: "My preference would be to form a coalition with old partners like Labour and independents... maybe new partners like Greens.
"But if it's the case that the people vote in a certain way and the only way we can form a stable government is for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to work together... well I'm willing to do that."
Responding to the Taoiseach's comments, Mr Martin insisted his party members had acted like grown ups during the election campaign - but claimed Fine Gael had not done the same.
The Fianna Fáil leader added: "There have been more personal attacks from Fine Gael on me than there has been on policies around education, childcare and other areas... that's the type of campaign you've run.
"We believe there is a need for a new government... Leo's been nine years in government.
"We're prepared to go into government with other centre parties who share a common agenda and who really want to deal with housing, homelessness and [improving] public services."
Tonight's debate has also seen some more heated exchanges between the two party leaders:
Varadkar snapping back. Accuses Micheál Martin of unbelievable arrogance #VMTVBigDebate
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) January 22, 2020
