Fine Gael agrees programme for government

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris

Fine Gael have voted "overwhelmingly" to accept a programme for government ahead of the coalition taking office on Wednesday.

The party said members, including the parliamentary party and councillors voted in favour of the programme by 93.9% to 6.1%.

On Sunday, Fianna Fáil endorsed the programme at a special ard fheis (party conference) in Dublin.

The draft programme was agreed between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and several independent TDs last week.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said he was "pleased" party members backed the programme.

"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," he wrote on X.

"We will always back farmers and rural Ireland. The Fine Gael team will now deliver."

Fine Gael is expected to have seven senior cabinet ministers when the new government holds its first meeting on Wednesday.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ is reporting that a number of Fine Gael promotions are likely, with Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Martin Heydon set to secure cabinet seats.

There is also a possibility Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee could be appointed minister for education.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is set to become taoiseach (Irish PM) for the second time on Wednesday.

The government will be formed with the support of a number of independent TDs.

These include seven from the Independent Regional Group and brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, TDs in County Kerry.