Programme For Government Has Been Agreed Pending Approval

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A Programme for Government has been agreed between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, The Regional Independent TDs and the two Kerry TDs Michael and Danny Healy Rae.

The agreement is to be published today and now needs the approval of the two larger parties and the Regional Independent group of TDs.

It is expected that Micheál Martin will be appointed as Taoiseach next Tuesday when the Dáil meets for the first time since mid-December and that Simon Harris will be Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs with the added responsibility of International Trade. Micheál Martin is expected to be Taoiseach until 2027 when the Fine Gael leader will take over.

It is expected that the Regional Independent Group of TDs will secure two “super junior ministries“ – a role that allows them to attend Cabinet Meetings – in the next Government, with Sean Canney and Noel Grealish to be based in the Departments of Transport and Agriculture respectively, while two other Regional Independents, Marian Harkin and Kevin Moran will become Ministers of State. Michael Healy Rae is expected to be a Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture.

Overall the next Cabinet will see Fianna Fáil (48 TDs) holding eight senior ministerial posts while Fine Gael (38 TDs) will hold seven. The agreement with the seven Regional Independents and the two Healy Rae’s will give the next Government a majority of eight seats in the 34th Dáil which now comprises 174 TDs elected in the November 29th 2024 General Election.

It is understood that the Programme for Government includes the creation of a 9% VAT rate for food services, entertainment and hairdressing in the next budget.