The Taoiseach has said there was a strong possibility that a programme for government would be agreed in the next couple of days.
At a briefing this afternoon at Dublin Castle, Leo Varadkar said a new government could be in place by the last week in June or early July to renew the Offences Against the State Act.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says there is a "strong possibility" that a programme for government can be agreed "in a couple of days" | Live updates: https://t.co/MwB07XWY9Y pic.twitter.com/F9yo1vSIp4
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 12, 2020
His comments come after steady progress was reported to have been made overnight in talks, with further negotiations on topics such as agriculture, transport and housing expected to take place following today's Cabinet meeting.
The narrowing of differences in difficult areas, such as agriculture and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, is believed to have injected some momentum into the negotiation process.
Negotiators from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party concluded their deliberations after midnight, with sources saying that progress continues to be made on multiple fronts.
Fine Gael deputy leader Simon Coveney told his party's TDs and Senators last night that outstanding issues remain and the talks process could well continue for another few days, raising the possibility of a deal next week.
However, indications from Fianna Fáil and the Green Party suggest a weekend agreement is still possible.
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