The leaders of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will meet in the morning to discuss policy issues.
The discussion follows another meeting tonight between Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin, fuelling speculation that talks on government formation may not be too far off.
The coronavirus is changing many things very swiftly. Now it seems that government formation could be one of them.
Mr Varadkar and Mr Martin met for over an hour tonight.
Those discussions dealt with the coronavirus again, but other policies too were examined in some detail.
Most significantly perhaps is the speed at which the two men are meeting again.
Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar met tonight to discuss policy. They will meet again in the morning fuelling speculation that the beginning of government formation talks may not be too far away. @rtenews
— Mícheál Lehane (@MichealLehane) March 9, 2020
The Fine Gael leader has said he will be able to say more very soon on whether or not his party has reached the point where it could begin government formation talks.
It would require a mandate from his parliamentary party, but given the escalating coronavirus situation many in that group believe such permission would be forthcoming.
The Fianna Fáil leader has said the coronavirus means that a government with a solid majority needs to be formed.
