LAST UPDATE | 5 hrs ago
THE REGIONAL INDEPENDENTS have reached a deal with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on forming a new government.
It is understood that the group have secured four roles in the new government, two junior ministries along with two super junior positions.
Galway East TD Sean Canney and Galway West TD Noel Grealish are expected to take a seat around the Cabinet table with the two super junior ministries.
While the names of the two junior ministers are largely expected to be held by Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin and Longford-Westmeath TD Kevin Boxer Moran.
The success of the Regional Independents means Michael and Danny Healy-Rae will now not get a super junior role. Speaking earlier today, Michael Healy Rae said: “It is not about positions.”
Talks with the two Kerry TDs are ongoing with the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil this evening.
Deputy Canney said the Taoiseach “of the day” would announce Government positions on Wednesday week.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News, Canney did not confirm if he would be getting a seat at the cabinet table, and said to “hold the congratulations until we see how things work out.”
The Galway TD said that Regional Independents will be engaging with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, adding it was important that make clear that they will be supporting issues like housing and health for a cohesive 5-year term
“The election is now over. We’re now in implementation mode for a programme for government next week and part of that implementation is to make sure that we iron out any difficulties as they may arise and iron out any unforeseens as they may arise as we go along,” Canney said.
Canney emphasised that he doesn’t believe the group sold themselves short, saying that the Regional Independents put themselves in a position to get their policy commitments in the programme for government, instead of focusing on seats in Cabinet.
He added that a seat at the cabinet table makes sure that the group is “at the heart” of the next government for those commitments to be achieved- and having two super junior ministers secures that.
A programme for government document is expected to be circulated to TDs late tonight or early in the morning ahead of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parliamentary party meetings being held tomorrow.
The Regional Independent group will discuss the final document as a group tomorrow afternoon.
The two parliamentary parties of the larger parties will also have an opportunity to examine and debate the document, before it moves on to the party membership.
Fianna Fáil is to hold a special Ard Fheis in Dublin on Sunday to ratify the new programme for government.
Micheál Martin will present the document to voting members and formally propose the draft for approval. Members will have an opportunity to contribute to a debate and, following the debate, polling will open.
Voting will conclude at 5pm on Sunday.
As reported by The Journal last week, the parties have been working towards having a final document ready for this week, ahead of the Dáil resuming on 22 January.
Fine Gael is also due to hold four regional events so members can ratify the programme, however the party has yet to specify the locations.
Agreement of the programme is largely agreed between the two parties, with the the two party leaders meeting today to hammer out any final issues of contention.
One issue is understood to be whether Michael and Danny Healy-Rae will be offered a super-junior ministry, though speculation within Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is that the two Kerry TDs will be found wanting.
Intensive negotiations have been underway since Friday evening and over the weekend in a bid to get a deal reached by the date the Dáil resumes and a new Taoiseach can be nominated.
The Fianna Fáil leader indicated last week that Fine Gael’s idea of a separate Department of Infrastructure might not come to fruition, but stated that the new government will be impatient with delays in rolling out big projects.
He also cast a doubt on Simon Harris’ ‘Acorn’ saving account, which formed part of the Fine Gael manifesto.
Fianna Fáil is understood to be taking eight full ministers at Cabinet while Fine Gael will have seven ministers. Speculation will now turn to who will take what role and how long Martin and Harris will have in the stint as Taoiseach.
In political circles, there is an expectation that Harris will opt to take the role as Foreign Affairs minister while he is Tánaiste.
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