GERRY Adams has said Sinn Féin will be a "constructive opposition" in the Dail after Fianna Fáil once again reiterated that they would not negotiation with the party to form a government.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny confirmed that talks are under way between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil about the formation of a new administration six weeks on from the Republic's general election.
Negotiating teams from the two parties are meeting in an effort to find agreement on forming a minority government.
Mr Kenny said the general election results required "a new way of doing politics" to provide a stable and lasting government.
The focus of the talks is expected to be how a minority government would work, rather than discussions on policies.
While Fine Gael insists that Mr Kenny offers the best prospect of leading a stable minority government, the party has not ruled out the prospect of a minority Fianna Fáil government.
TDs are then due to vote to elect a taoiseach on Thursday, the third time since the General Election just over six weeks ago.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has said his party will hold Fianna Fáil to account as part of a constructive opposition if a minority government is formed.
The Sinn Féin president said "It appears this time around Sinn Féin won't be in government and then we have to be a constructive opposition and we will hold Fianna Fáil to account, because no matter how much they want to long-arm it, they will be as much a part of that government as Fine Gael."
A number of Independents have asked both parties to reach a written agreement covering a number of budgets before the Dáil reconvenes on Thursday.
Two Independent TDs involved in negotiations with both Fianna Fáíl and Fine Gael have sought assurances a minority-led government would last a number of years.
Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice has said he expects Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to agree on a way to pass at least three budgets.
Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae said he hoped a sound foundation for government could be reached this week and that once formed it would last a number of years.
"Everybody will readily agree that it won't last for five years but at the same time people don't want a hash of a thing that will be there for six or eight months or something and then collapse at the first hurdle", he said.
