Fine Gael ratifies programme for government

By Gráinne Ní Aodha and David Young, PA

Fine Gael members have voted to ratify the programme for government, paving the way for a coalition with Fianna Fáil and nine Independent TDs.

Fine Gael held regional meetings in recent days before the parliamentary party met in Leinster House on Monday to cast their vote on the deal.

The final result from all membership, councillor and parliamentary party votes was 93.9 per cent in favour and 6.1 per cent against.

Fianna Fáil voted in favour of ratifying the deal on Sunday by 812 votes to 62.

The Dáil is to sit on Wednesday when the new coalition comprising Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and several Independent TDs will be officially appointed.

The 162-page programme for government, published during the week, includes smaller class sizes, reduced childcare costs and more gardai among its priorities.

Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin is set to replace Fine Gael leader Simon Harris as taoiseach when the Dáil meets on Wednesday.

He will hold the taoiseach’s office for three years before it reverts to Mr Harris for the final two years of the mandate.

Meanwhile, a row is brewing between opposition parties and the group of independents supporting the government over whether the independents who are not given government roles can get speaking time in the Dáil during opposition slots.

The Regional Group of Independents are to get four junior ministerial roles, while Michael Healy-Rae is also in line to become minister of state.

Opposition parties have criticised a move by the remaining independents to form a technical group that would give them speaking time in the Dáil.

The Labour Party has prepared a draft submission to the Ceann Comhairle based on internal legal advice which it said contradicts advice given to the Ceann Comhairle that objects to the claim that independents supporting the government can “eat into Dáil time that is allocated to the opposition”.