President Michael D Higgins has spoken for the first time since Ireland's final General Election results.
With the full 160 Dail Eireann seats now filled, Fianna Fail (38 seats) just edged out Sinn Fein (37 seats) to become Ireland's biggest party.
Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael suffered an embarrassing defeat, taking home just 35 seats in the 33rd Dail.
Both Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail are trying to figure out a way of making up the numbers to form a new Government, with a coalition between the two parties, along with possibly The Greens, not yet being fully ruled out.
But Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin may not have his party's support to enter into Government with Mary Lou McDonald should he wish to do so, meaning a grand coalition with historic rivals Fine Gael could be on the cards.
It is unlikely that Sinn Fein will have the numbers to form a coalition of the left-wing parties.
Speaking for the first time since the results, President Higgins said it is "important to be positive" as the political parties enter discussions.
"I have great confidence in the process that we have," Mr Higgins added.
"We are very fortunate to have a constitution that lays things down very clearly.
"I want to wish all of the people who will be having discussions with each other every success.
"Whatever they decide, we are obviously facing into a period in which the European Union is redefining itself on several levels and we are moving into some of the most complex parts of the trade agreement with our neighbours through Brexit.
"There are huge international issues as well. The themes standing in every background of every politician alive are issues of climate change and loss of biodiversity."
