Noonan: Talks between main parties 'down to five or six net points'
Negotiators from Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have adjourned their talks for this evening to resume again tomorrow.
Irish Water has emerged as a major stumbling point, after an unsuccessful meeting between Enda Kenny and Micheal Martin today.
Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe says both sides are determined to reach a deal if it is at all possible.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are keen to compromise - but admitted that Irish Water remains a major issue.
“Well, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, to use the usual formula” he said.
“But it’s down to about five or six net points, I would think – and Irish Water obviously is one of them.”
Talks have re-commenced between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil at Trinity College in Dublin this afternoon .
Negotiating teams were due to meet earlier this morning, but a meeting between acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin ended without agreement.
Talks are said to be at an impasse.
The party leaders discussed significant changes to Irish Water and water charges during their latest negotiations.
Fianna Fáil's Willie O'Dea has said that be cannot understand Fine Gael's commitment to the utility.
“I find it difficult to know why Fine Gael would be so determined on a course of action that has been rejected, as far as I can see, by about 70% of the voters, and has been opposed by about 60-70% of the members in there,” he said.
“I mean, to hang your hat on something like that seems, to me, to be extremely foolish.”
Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin have held face-to-face talks over the future of Irish Water after their negotiating teams failed to agree a breakthrough on the vital issue, .
The two rivals met this morning in a bid to resolve the ongoing stand-off which is threatening to bring government formation talks to a halt and force a second election.
It is understood that while Mr Kenny and Mr Martin have been in regular contact by phone in recent days, today's meeting was organised due to specific concerns that no deal can be reached on Irish Water.
However, despite hopes the leaders may be able to come to some form of deal with each other, it is claimed they too have failed to find a way to end the stand-off.
The situation has thrown fresh doubt over the future of talks between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on how a minority Government can be organised, and represents a significant blow to the chances of avoiding a second election.
In a day of intense talks in Trinity College yesterday, both parties' negotiating teams discussed the feasibility of new water charge waivers for vulnerable people, a reduction or delay in charges, the possibility of replacing Irish Water with a publicly owned utility and other matters.
No agreement was reached however and there was no discussion on what would happen to Irish Water workers, whether a referendum ensuring water services are not privatised and other key matters.
