Still No Breakthrough In Government Formation Talks

A programme for government might not be agreed until the weekend.

Last night the talks went until after midnight and they'll pick up again later today.

This morning's cabinet meeting took up time but the parties involved are hopeful a deal could be done as early as tomorrow.

Simon Coveney however last night warned his party there remained heavy lifting to be done and that it may be after the weekend before any text is finalised.

The talks have progressed all through the week but issues like agriculture, climate targets and housing are still not fully signed off on.

The optimists in the process say it could be done tomorrow, the pessimists that it might be a few days yet.

Leo Varadkar says he believes a programme for government can be completed in the coming days.