Irish general election: Fianna F谩il and Fine Gael to enter into talks

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Image caption, Miche谩l Martin, right, said he would consider forming a coalition with Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael, but ruled out going into government with Sinn F茅in

Fine Gael and Fianna F谩il are due to start "in-depth, detailed talks" with a view to forming the next D谩il (Irish parliament).

Negotiating teams from both parties said they would enter talks as equal partners.

Fianna F谩il won the most seats in January's election with 38, one ahead of Sinn F茅in which had the highest number of first-preference votes.

Parties need 80 seats to form a government.

No single party has enough seats to govern.

In identical statements, Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and Fianna F谩il leader Miche谩l Martin held "constructive discussions" over the last two days about policy issues and the current political situation.

The two parties will also continue discussions with the Green Party.

Image caption, Fianna F谩il and Sinn F茅in won the same number of seats, but the Ceann Comhairle (Speaker), who was a Fianna F谩il TD, was automatically re-elected

The statements said that both leaders are "acutely aware of the enormous challenges facing the country particularly with the onset of Covid-19".

In a letter to Fine Gael's parliamentary members, Mr Varadkar said his intention was to allow more time for Sinn F茅in and Fianna F谩il to form a government but that the coronavirus outbreak was "a dramatic change in context".

He added that he and Mr Martin agreed that any government involving the parties would be based on "an agreed policy platform that builds on and protects the progress made by the last two governments".

The previous Fine Gael-led government was supported by Fianna F谩il in key votes in a confidence-and-supply agreement.

Mr Varadkar said he would seek the parliamentary party's approval next week before any formal talks on a programme for government begin.

Mr Martin has ruled out forming a coalition with Sinn F茅in.