Fianna Fáil has said the abolition of water charges and Irish Water is a key issue for it, even if it supports a minority Fine Gael government.
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“We will engage fully and inclusively with other parties, groups and independent deputies to ensure that such a government is established”, he added.
Fianna Fail has also said it will canvass support among the disparate group of small parties and independents to put party leader Micheal Martin forward as an alternative prime minister when parliament resumes on March 10.
With the second- and third-largest parties, Fianna Fail, and Sinn Fein, ruling out a coalition with Fine Gael, analysts say Kenny will not reach a majority without eventually striking some sort of agreement with Fianna Fail.
Among the coalition’s biggest casualties were Alex White, Labour’s outgoing minister for communications, energy and natural resources, and Alan Shatter, the former Fine Gael justice minister, who were both defeated in Dublin Rathdown.
That is being read as a signal he is prepared to talk to Fianna Fáil and possibly Sinn Féin.
Enda Kenny is not backing down on Irish Water, but he has opened the door to the possibility of talks with Fianna Fail.
He said: “It would be a mistake to start reversing now what has been a hard process to set up a single utility water service”.
Ireland’s shell-shocked leaders are convening for the first time since last weekend’s election to plot how to form a new government, a search with no easy answer in a hung parliament.
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Taoiseach Enda Kenny has ruled out resigning after his government suffered a resounding thumping in Ireland’s general election.
