Taoiseach Brian Cowen has written to the leaders of the main Opposition parties inviting them to talks on establishing a consensus on the economy.
Mr Cowen's move follows nearly a week of controversy over a similar invitation from Green Party leader John Gormley.
Earlier comments from Mr Cowen were interpreted as being cool on the proposal. In the Dáil yesterday, the Taoiseach said he had no objection to talks that might follow Department of Finance briefings for the opposition parties, but that the Government had a duty to govern.
In today's letter, Mr Cowen said he would like to explore the extent to which cross party support could be achieved on a realistic approach to putting the public finances on a sustainable footing.
The Fine Gael finance spokesman, Michael Noonan, today took up the Government's offer to meet officials at the Department of Finance.
Afterwards, he said his party looked forward to further meetings where he would get a pre-budget style briefing.
Mr Noonan said it would be difficult to establish the target for adjustments in the budget until there was certainty about what was needed for the four year period.
