Talks on the formation of a new government are continuing, without the Social Democrats.
They say talks involving themselves and independents are only delaying the inevitable "grand coalition".
Five independent TDs who abstained in last week's votes on Taoiseach, including Clare's Dr Michael Harty, met at Leinster House yesterday afternoon with members of Fine Gael.
Dr Harty says he's had a "constructive preliminary meeting" and that both sides "spoke and actively listened".
The Taoiseach cut short his St Patrick's Day trip to Washington to hold a series of meetings in Dublin, before he travels to Brussels for the EU leaders summit.
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall says if Fine Gael and Fianna Fail can't do a deal, we'll have another general election.
