Following a week of posturing, the business of government formation begins in earnest next week.
On Monday, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris will meet for their first proper discussion on agreement for another coalition.
These talks come after days of markers being set down on the parameters for government.
Fianna Fáil has asserted that its larger size must be reflected in the composition of government.
But Fine Gael has pushed back firmly on that with Mr Harris responding sharply yesterday to any suggestion that it would be a junior partner.
However, everyone knows they will reach a deal and surely, it could not take too long after signing off on an agreed policy for the past four and a half years.
Yes, it is true divisions arose during the election campaign but that was a predictable part of the uncoupling and everything is surmountable.
Opinion is divided on whether they could reach a joint policy platform before Christmas with only two working weeks available to get a deal done.
Regardless, that is the first step and after that, they will reach out to a smaller party or Independents.
Despite all the contact over the past week, all the meetings have been described as "preliminary chats".
No real business has been done.
Meanwhile, it is no surprise that the Social Democrats have rejected Labour's advances.
Even Labour knew it was a non-starter but it felt it had to follow through with a meeting to fulfil a campaign pledge.
They both now go it alone in their discussions with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
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Some in the larger parties believe the Social Democrats' demands are unworkable and Labour remains the preferred choice, along with Independents.
However within Labour, there is a spectrum of opinion in both the parliamentary party and among the wider membership on the merits of taking the risk of government again.
Independents are certainly available and many have been reliable partners previously, both inside and outside the tent.
This gives Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael leverage, because it has one of the most key assets in politics - options.
