The Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael leaders have welcomed an agreement to form a Coalition government with the support of the Independent Regional Group and Kerry Independent TDs, Michael and Danny Healy-Rae.
The parties met separately to discuss the draft Programme for Government, published this afternoon, that will aim to deliver 300,000 new houses by 2030 and create 300,000 jobs over the next five years.
Responsibility for international protection accommodation and integration is to return to the Department of Justice, which will now be called the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
The 160-page document states that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Independents "have come together in partnership to form a stable majority to deliver an ambitious programme and five Budgets."
The text states they commit to a strong and stable economy, safer towns cities and villages, a step change in supports for those with disabilities, investment in education, and balanced development for all regions.
The Regional Independent Group has also been meeting to ratify the document which paves the way for a coalition to be in place next Wednesday.
Last night, Independent Kerry TDs Danny and Michael Healy-Rae reached an agreement to support the incoming government.
Speaking about the draft Programme for Government this evening, Mícheál Martin, who is likely to return to the Office of Taoiseach in the next government, described the plan as "very ambitious".
He told RTÉ's Six One News: "I think fundamentally it is a very ambitious programme for government.
"The fundamental objective and task will be delivery and public service reform to enable delivery of more houses faster for people.
"Particularly to enable young people to be in a position to be able to buy homes.
"I want this government to be a defining government in respect of disability and that we provide services for people with disabilities in a seamless way."
Martin 'absolutely committed' to serving three years as taoiseach
Mr Martin is expected to return as Taoiseach next week and serve three years in the post before he is replaced by Fine Gael leader Simon Harris.
He told RTÉ's Six One: "Absolutely my intention is to serve out the term fully.
"When one puts oneself forward for the Dáil, to me, I want to be in Dáil Éireann for the next five years. When you go forward as leader of a party you want to be taoiseach.
"I know there was a lot of speculation before the election, which frustrated me a bit because my focus was on becoming taoiseach.
"Hopefully next week that will happen, I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch.
"I am absolutely committed to serving out the term because there is an agenda of change and I will work every day of those three years to do what I can to get this programme for government delivered to make life better for people."
Healy-Rae set for junior ministry
This morning, Michael Healy-Rae said that a minister of state role is "going in my direction", but the incoming taoiseach will decide what the position will be.
The role is most likely to be at the Department of Agriculture.
Outgoing Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan claimed that Mr Healy-Rae is set to take the forestry portfolio.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he said he wished Mr Healy-Rae well and hoped that positive work in the environmental sector would continue.
"I see Minister Michael Healy-Rae is going to take up the forestry portfolio that was ably led by my colleague, Minister (Pippa) Hackett. There will be a lot of work there on nature restoration," he said.
"Certainly I wish them well but we’ll also be holding them to account over the next four to five years," he added.
Separately, Michael Healy-Rae said that he and Danny Healy-Rae have agreed to support a Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael government "over the next five budgets".
The number of TDs willing to back the next administration stands at 95 after the Healy-Raes agreed to join forces.
Last night, it was reported there are plans to cut the VAT rate to 9% for food services, entertainment and hairdressing in the next budget.
This will be overseen by the new minister for finance, which is expected to be Paschal Donohoe.
There will also be a commitment in the Programme for Government to advance the Occupied Territories Bill.
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It is expected that Seán Canney of the regional group will be appointed a super junior minister at the Department of Transport with Noel Grealish taking on a similar role at Agriculture and Food.
Independents Marian Harkin and Kevin 'Boxer' Moran will become ministers of state.
Overall, the Cabinet will see Fianna Fáil holding eight senior ministerial posts to Fine Gael's seven.
Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said there are no agreements on a constituency basis with any TDs.
Regional TDs did not 'make demands' - Harkin
Independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim Marian Harkin said the Regional Group "didn't make demands" during the negotiations.
"I don't see anybody being in a ministry of any kind, as making a demand. I see it as contributing to ensuring that the Programme for Government is delivered.
"That's the approach we took and for any government to work there has to be trust between the partners, there have to be channels of communications to maintain that trust and that influence, and we approach this on a national basis to make sure that we could be part of a stable government for five years.
"What we did was we looked to see how we could contribute to ensuring that what was in the Programme for Government becomes a reality for families, for communities, for individuals," Ms Harkin added.
