The Green Party is to enter talks with Fianna Fáil at Government Buildings tomorrow to discuss the possible formation of a new government, it has confirmed.
In a statement, the Green Party said it would enter the talks "in good faith and in the sincere hope that we can bring about a stable government and a sustainable future for this country".
It said that in spite of its best efforts, the prospects for an alternative coalition "look remote".
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Green Party, at its meeting today, endorsed the recommendation of party leader Trevor Sargent to enter exploratory talks with Fianna Fail about the formation of a new government, the statement said.
"This follows extensive communications with members of the party throughout the country. The party's NEC expressed full confidence in the negotiating team."
The talks will commence tomorrow (Sunday) at 11am at Government Buildings in Dublin.
"The Green Party enters these talks in good faith In spite of our best efforts the prospects for an alternative coalition look remote," the statement concluded.
Speaking on radio earlier, Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea said Fianna Fáil was still exploring options for the formation of a government under Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Fianna Fáil and the Green Party exchanged policy and position papers in recent days.
Fianna Fáil holds 78 seats, including that of the Ceann Comhairle in the Dáil and a solid agreement with the Green Party would give it a crucial 84 votes.
The support of a number of so-called Fianna Fáil 'gene pool' independents, including South
Kerry's
Jackie Healy Rae and Mayo's Beverley Flynn, as well as the two remaining Progressive Democrat deputies, would give Bertie Ahern a comfortable margin of support for his government.
It has been widely reported that Mr Ahern wants acting PD leader Mary Harney to return to government and to continue in her role as Minister for Health.
During the general election campaign, Ms Harney expressed on several occasions her strong wish to keep the health portfolio.
However, the Progressive Democrats, whose eight TDs supported Fianna Fáil in the coalition government from 2002 until the recent election, lost six of their seats in the May 24th poll.
The Tánaiste and PD leader Michael McDowell was among those who lost out.
The Green Party was returned after the election count with six seats, the same number it held in the outgoing 29th Dáil.
It was a disappointing result for the party, which like other small parties and independents, felt it was "squeezed" by the polarisation of the vote between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
While the party won a seat in Carlow-Kilkenny, where deputy leader Mary White was elected, it also lost its Cork South-Central TD Dan Boyle.
Fine Gael was the major winner in the campaign, gaining some 20 seats on the number it held in the last Dáil to bring its total to 51.
The Labour Party will go into the 30th Dáil with 20 seats, one less than it held when the election was called.
Sinn Féin also lost one of its five seats, with its education spokesman Seán Crowe losing out to Fine Gael senator Brian Hayes.All the larger parties have ruled out going into government with Sinn Féin.
And while Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has refused so far to rule out forming an alternative coalition, the prospect now becomes more remote with the Green Party's decision to commence talks with Fianna Fáil tomorrow.
The Labour Party and Fine Gael - who put themselves forward as an 'Alliance for Change' with a joint policy platform during the election campaign - will hold 71 seats between them in the new Dáil.
Support from the Greens, the PDs and other independents would be vital to make up the numbers but it appears unlikely that any stable government could be formed on that basis.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent has already indicated he would not lead his party into government with Fianna Fáil and that he would consider stepping down if an agreement is reached to go into such a coalition.
Mr Sargent has not, however, ruled out holding a ministry in any government led by Bertie Ahern.
It is likely that a number of cabinet positions, or junior ministry roles, will be demanded by the Greens in return for their support of Fianna Fáil in government.