February 25th, 2020: Sinn Féin held a public meeting at Liberty Hall, Dublin, as part of a series of public events to rally support for the party’s efforts to get into government. Video: Bryan O’Brien

Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar declined on Tuesday to open negotiations on forming a government with Fianna Fáil, as talks continued at Leinster House following the inconclusive general election result.

But the outcome of a meeting between Mr Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin on Tuesday is being interpreted in both parties as meaning “not yet” rather than “never”, with senior sources expecting negotiations on a coalition government after St Patrick’s Day.

Mr Martin said the Taoiseach “didn’t reject anything” – though it is clear that Mr Varadkar did not accept the invitation on government formation talks.

The two men agreed to meet again, though no date was set. That meeting is not likely to happen until after the Dáil meets again on Thursday of next week, sources said, when the Dáil is expected to again fail to elect a taoiseach.

In a statement after the meeting, Mr Varadkar said that Fine Gael is continuing to prepare for opposition.