Independent TDs whose votes are needed to pass the budget are waiting for a response from government to see if their demands will be met.
The votes of Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy-Rae are crucial to passing votes tomorrow night and the social protection bill later this week.
The budget and the future of the country appears to be in the hands of Jackie Healy-Rae and Michael Lowry.
If they do not remain on board with the coalition defeat of a financial motion on the budget tomorrow night is possible resulting in the collapse of the government and a general election sometime between Christmas Day and the New Year.
Both have raised a number of national issues as well as local ones such as changes to gambling legislation to allow for a casino for Tipperary.
But with only weeks left in this government anyway the chances of the two independents being able to negotiate a package of measures for their support is slim.
And in a sign the government is confident it can do a deal no approach has been made to Finian McGrath who previously had a deal with the coalition.
Jackie Healy-Rae has told Radio Kerry he still does not know which way he will vote setting out his list of demands.
