Ireland's two major parties hold minority gov't talks

Talks were under way on Monday between Ireland's Fine Gael (United Ireland Party) and its main rival Fianna Fail (Republican Party) about the formation of a new minority government.

Ireland's national public service broadcaster RTE quoted Fine Gael leader and caretaker Prime Minister Enda Kenny as confirming that negotiating teams from the two largest political parties were meeting in an effort to find agreement on forming a minority government.

The talks came after Fianna Fail rejected Fine Gael's offer of a full partnership government last week.

The initial focus of the talks was expected to be how a minority government would work, rather than discussions on policies.

While Fine Gael insists that its leader Kenny offers the best prospect of leading a stable minority government, the party has not ruled out the prospect of a minority Fianna Fail government.

A minority government would mean Fine Gael or Fianna Fail would need to secure support from other parties on an issue-by-issue basis in order to get legislation through.

The Dail Eireann, lower house of Irish parliament, will reconvene on Thursday, and members of parliament are then due to vote to elect a prime minister for a third time since the Feb. 26 general election.

The Irish parliament failed to elect a prime minister on March 10 and April 6 separately.

Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail had not won an overall majority in the general election. Fine Gael, which has 50 seats in the Dail Eireann, is still the largest party in Ireland in terms of members of parliament. Fianna Fail, having 44 seats, is the second largest party. Endit