Party sources tell the 'Irish Examiner' outgoing Tánaiste should take the helm for longer than Simon Harris despite Fine Gael's suggestion of an even split to maintain 'parity of esteem'

The two main parties in the outgoing Irish government have again ruled out Sinn Fein as a potential coalition partner in the next government. The leaders of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin were taking part in a TV debate just days before the general election.

MICHEÁL MARTIN HAS refused to say whether he will rule out a rotating Taoiseach as part of government formation talks. The Fianna Fáil leader, who was speaking at the British Irish intergovernmental conference in Dublin this evening,

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin also said it was unlikely that a new administration would be formed before Christmas.