New government deal sees two Independents at Cabinet

Two Independent TDs will attend Cabinet meetings as super junior ministers under an agreement reached to pave the way for the formation of the next government.

The Regional Independent Group will have two ministers at the Cabinet table, but they will not hold senior ministries.

It is likely that these posts will go to Galway East TD Seán Canney and Galway West TD Noel Grealish.

Seven TDs from the Regional Independents are set to support the next government as part of an agreement with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Meanwhile, Independent TDs Michael and Danny Healy-Rae have also reached an agreement to support the incoming government.

Tonight they are only saying "job done" and will reveal more details of their agreement early tomorrow.

It is understood the Healy-Raes have secured one junior ministerial post.

The Cabinet breakdown will see Fianna Fáil hold eight senior roles to Fine Gael's seven.

It is expected that Micheál Martin will hold the office of Taoiseach until some point in 2027 and possibly for a longer duration than the Fine Gael leader.

Tomorrow, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are set to hold parliamentary party meetings to discuss the new programme for government.

At the same time the Regional Independents will meet to ratify the programme with the group also in line to hold two regular junior ministerial posts.

The group's lead negotiator, Michael Lowry, said that the group would support the next government on the good days and the bad days.

On Sunday, Fianna Fáil members will vote on the programme for government at an Ard Fheis in Dublin, while Fine Gael is planning a series of regional meetings beginning possibly as early as Thursday.

A new government will then present itself to the Dáil on Wednesday 22 January.

'Hold the congratulations'

Mr Canney said the Taoiseach "of the day" would announce Government positions on Wednesday week.

Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, he said: "So, I would say hold the congratulations until we see how things work out."

He said to have a cohesive Government, any issues that crop up while going through the five-year program must be sorted out.

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"I do believe we will have that engagement, and I would say that the engagement we have had over the last number of weeks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael has built further trust and understanding between us all that what we need to do is to make sure that we deliver on the issues that are there like housing and health and to make sure that people are better off as we go through the next five years..."

Mr Canney said it was important to be in a position where you could ensure the program for government was implemented.

"Basically, if you have people in cabinet, whether they are ministers or ministers of state with attendance at cabinet, I think it is equal, and it makes sure that you are there at the heart of decision making and having two super junior ministers as they are called in a cabinet is a huge plus and a huge influence in delivering the program for Government."

'Substantive detail worked through' - Heydon

Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon, who is on the party's negotiating team, said the process to agree a programme for government was a lengthy one.

"We're almost there, and it's been a very lengthy process. We've worked through an awful lot of detail, and ultimately, our goal here has been about providing a roadmap for the next five years to deliver good, stable government that will deliver five budgets for the people, for our families, our businesses, our farmers, our rural and urban communities and the most vulnerable in society, and to make sure that we put our best foot forward for the people in the term ahead"

Mr Heydon, who is tipped by some to be appointed to the new Cabinet, described the negotiations as very intense.

He added, however, that there are still some points of detail that need to be further clarified but that a large amount of "substantive detail has been worked through".

Independent TD Barry Heneghan confirmed he had a meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Mícheál Martin this afternoon which he described as very positive.

He said they talked about issues on which he stood for election such as a new ED for Beaumont Hospital, a new building for Gaelcholáiste Reachrann in Donaghmede, and other national issues that the Regional Independents want addressed.

Current Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke refused to divulge details about a potential agreement, adding that it would have to be approved by parliamentary parties and Fine Gael membership.

Regarding reports that Seán Canney and Noel Grealish would hold super junior ministries and Marian Harkin and Kevin 'Boxer' Moran junior ministries, he said this was just "speculation".

"This is all speculation, and you’re always going to have speculation before an agreement is published. Talks are still under way. They’re under way with both the Regional Independents and indeed, both Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, that formal process has to conclude.

Additional reporting Joe Mag Raollaigh