Fianna Fáil's education spokesperson Thomas Byrne has ramped up pressure on the Green Party saying there is a "huge opportunity" for them to implement their policies in the next government.

However, Mr Byrne warned that if the Greens or another party do not join Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael's coalition a second general election will be called this year.

Speaking to Independent.ie’s Floating Voter podcast, the Meath East TD said: "In relation to the Greens, just because of our international obligations on climate, the next government is going to be the greenest government in the history of the State."

"The challenge for the Greens, I think, is do they want to be part of that, probably driving that in government or do they want to sit back and see it implemented by some other party because it's going to be done and we are committed to that," he added.

If a third party does not support the proposed Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael government, Mr Byrne said: “the only logical conclusion is there will be a general election because I can't see how you can get a government together with 72 seats”.

Speaking ahead of the publication of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s policy framework document, Mr Byrne said next government will herald the coming of a “new economic dawn”.

“There are huge opportunities there for parties who want to get involved, who want to get their policies implemented and who are looking for that type of radical change,” he said.

“It is going to require a lot of imagination on behalf of the public service, which it has to be said we have seen over the last few weeks, but also in respect of the political system as well. Things cannot be as they were ever before ever again,” he added.