Martin O'Neill has confirmed that he has signed a new contract with the FAI that will take his tenure up to the end of the World Cup 2018 campaign.
O'Neill had previously stated that the contract was agreed but today was the first official announcement that the deal was completed.
Assistant manger Roy Keane and the rest of the backroom staff have also agreed new deals.
"I have signed a new deal," said O'Neill at the announcement of his squad to play Georgia and Moldova next month.
"It was never an issue. Roy and the backroom staff have followed suit. We're delighted."
Asked if there was any specific reason for the delay in signing on the dotted line, O’Neill said: "No reason whatsoever.
"In terms of my time at football clubs, I've had four or five years at clubs and usually when I say it will happen it will happen.
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“It would have to be for some unforeseen reason that it would finish.
"I might not sound it, but I think John [Delaney, FAI chief executive] was pretty comfortable when we shook hands on the deal so there was no major reason or stumbling block.
“Nothing has changed since we agreed on the deal, so it wasn't a matter of fumbling around and looking for something else.
"It wasn't a matter of changing the contract - that remained exactly the same.
"If something happened to me in terms of health or something like that then you end up not having a contract.
"In terms of agreeing with someone and shaking hands on it, which we did before the Euros, I've no reason to change.
"Who knows what happens in life? Ireland's best chance of qualification for the World Cup in Russia, and I think I've proved it, lies with myself and Roy Keane.
"It's done and dusted now so we'll go forward from here."
The panel includes first-time call-ups for Falkirk goalkeeper Danny Rogers and Barnsley midfielder Conor Hourihane.
The ex-Celtic manager also recalled striker Kevin Doyle in a provisional 33-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers.
After earning a valuable point away to Serbia in their first Group D game, Ireland will host Georgia in Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 6 October before travelling to take on Moldova on Sunday, 9 October in Chisinau.
Cork native Hourihane previously represented Ireland at underage level and has excelled in recent seasons in England's League One and Championship.
Rogers (above) also earns a senior call-up after impressing on loan from Aberdeen, while Brighton & Hove Albion defender Shane Duffy is available following suspension.
Everton midfielder James McCarthy, who is currently injured, is included. O'Neill said: "I've spoken to our doctor who says James McCarthy is making good progress. We'll see how he progresses."
O'Neill also confirmed that Dundalk's Daryl Horgan "would certainly have made the provisional squad" but for the Europa League side's busy schedule.
BREAKING: Martin O'Neill has announced his squad for the upcoming games against Georgia and Moldova! #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/KvogJaZlFW
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) September 23, 2016
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph, Keiren Westwood, Danny Rogers.
Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce, Paul McShane, John O'Shea, Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clark, Marc Wilson, Stephen Ward.
Midfielders: Aiden McGeady, James McClean, Glenn Whelan, James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler, Conor Hourihane, Harry Arter, Eunan O'Kane, Stephen Gleeson, Callum O'Dowda, Robbie Brady, Wes Hoolahan, Anthony Pilkington, Jonathan Hayes.
Strikers: Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle.
