Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael members have voted to ratify the draft Programme for Government that will see both parties form a coalition government with a group of Independents.
At a special Ard Fheis Fianna Fáil members voted to go back into government by 812 votes to 62. Fine Gael members voted 93.9 per cent in favour while 6.1 per cent voted against.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is set to be elected Taoiseach on Wednesday and will hold the role until November 2027 when he hands the position over to Fine Gael leader Simon Harris.
There is anger within opposition parties that some TDs from the Regional Independent group are taking up opposition time by not sitting on the government benches. It means that Independent TDs who support the incoming government, but do not hold a ministerial position, will be permitted to ask questions from opposition benches.
The Dáil’s business committee is due to meet to consider a submission from opposition parties which challenges the Ceann Comhairle’s view that government-supporting TDs can form an opposition technical group for Dáil speaking rights.
Welcoming the Fine Gael members’ decision, party leader Simon Harris said: “Fine Gael has been engaging with members across the country over recent days outlining our commitment to deliver on the issues that matter to people.
“We will enter this government with an absolute determination to deliver support for small businesses, more homes and homeownership, and a radically different approach to disability services.
“We will always back farmers and rural Ireland. The Fine Gael team will now deliver that agenda in Government.”
Some of the main points of the draft Programme for Government will see: Pledge to build 300,000 homes by the end of 2030; Target to create 300,000 extra jobs by 2030; Cut pupil-teacher ratio to 19:1 in primary schools; Security force, similar to Airport Police, to be established for public transport; Improved grants for home retrofitting; State pension start will stay at 66; Plan for free GP services to be extended to children up to 12; Hospital bed capacity to be increased by between 4,000 and 4,500.
