A FINAL draft of a joint document for coalition government is expected to be put before the Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrats' leaders by the weekend, and the document is likely to be considered by both parliamentary parties next week.
Negotiating teams from both sides will meet again today to continue working towards a rapid conclusion of their talks. Following a meeting lasting 80 minutes in Dublin yesterday the Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrats' representatives said they had agreed an agenda and would reach overall accord "in the shortest possible time".
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, and his Progressive Democrats' counterpart, Ms Mary Harney, reviewed progress by telephone, but it is understood they may meet today for further discussions on the formation of a coalition.
While the joint policy document for government will be established by the negotiating teams, the question of the share of ministerial posts will be decided by the party leaders.
Meanwhile, advances in the negotiations will be considered at a meeting of the Fianna Fail front bench tomorrow.
At the conclusion of yesterday's negotiations in Kildare House, both sides remained tight-lipped about the precise nature of agreement to date. However, they strongly conveyed an impression of mutual rapport and a determination to form a minority government when the 28th Dail meets on June 26th.
Fianna Fail is represented in the talks by its chief whip, Mr Dermot Ahern, and its environment spokesman, Mr Noel Dempsey.
They are accompanied by key advisers to the party, Dr Martin Mansergh and Mr Gerry Hickey.
With the party reduced to just four TDs, the Progressive Democrats' team is made up of a former minister, Mr Bobby Molloy, and its justice spokeswoman, Ms Liz O'Donnell. The two officials on the team are Ms Harney's adviser, Mr John Murray, and Mr Maurice Roche, an economist.
The teams exchanged a number of papers yesterday, covering crucial areas such as the economy, crime and Northern Ireland.
Claiming they bad reached "broad agreement" on all the priority issues, Mr Ahern said it was now a question of "marrying" all of these and producing an agreed document at the end of the negotiations.
There is agreement in effect. What we are trying to do is look at each other's documents over the next couple of days and marry them together," Mr Ahern added.
Asked how he would compare the atmosphere in these negotiations to those conducted when the parties last agreed on coalition in 1989, Mr Dempsey replied: "They are less fraught".
"There is a good working atmosphere. Both parties are almost at one with their agenda. They have worked together before the election and I do not foresee major difficulties. It is a matter of finalising priorities . . . We will deal with all issues in the days ahead and will finalise them," Mr Dempsey added.
According to Mr Molloy, taxation is "of great importance" from the point of view of both parties, and they had spent "quite some time discussing the [taxation] possibilities for the new programme".
In spite of her party's diminished size, Ms O'Donnell said they did not feet any disadvantage.
Meanwhile, the situation in Dublin South East was still unresolved last night and counting could go on for another two days.