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Fianna Fail and Fine Gael\u2019s parliamentary parties will hold separate meetings later today to sign off the details for the joint blueprint for government.<\/p>\nFianna Fail and Fine Gael\u2019s parliamentary parties will hold separate meetings later today to sign off the details for the joint blueprint for government.<\/p>\n
Miche\u00e1l Martin and Leo Varadkar reached agreement on Tuesday following weeks of talks.<\/p>\n
The two parliamentary parties will be briefed on the policy document on Wednesday ahead of engagement with other potential coalition partners.<\/p>\n
Following the conclusion of the parliamentary parties, Mr Varadkar and Mr Martin will together approach other party leaders of the Green Party, the Labour Party and the Social Democrats.<\/p>\n
The document will be shared with the other parties and the group of Independent TDs.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s negotiator, Michael McGrath, said the document sets out a number of \u201ckey missions\u201d that an incoming government will need to deal with.<\/p>\n
Speaking to RT\u00c9 Morning Ireland, he said: \u201cFirst and foremost being, of course, dealing with the enormous economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis, the preparation of a national economic recovery plan, but also drawing on the lessons from the general election and dealing with the issues that people demand.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the issues include affordable housing and universal access to health care.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cIt also sets out a renewed focus on quality-of-life issues, on well-being and, critically, from a Fianna F\u00e1il perspective, it again reaffirms the vital importance of our education system, of the legitimate aspiration of working towards Irish unity and reaffirming our role as a country that is fully committed to the European Union, and dealing with the challenges that will emerge again from the Brexit negotiations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a foundation document which will be the basis of discussion on a program for government.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a program for government, but it is the basis we believe of a negotiation that could ultimately lead to one, and we want other parties now to join us in that process with a view to meeting the enormous challenges that have been presented by the health crisis that we\u2019re still grappling with.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said that the Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael parliamentary party members will receive a copy of the document later on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Asked whether Mr Martin will become the next Taoiseach, Mr McGrath said it was \u201cnot an issue\u201d that was discussed by the negotiating teams.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cWe are a long way off the formation of a government yet because we need others to join us in that discussion and that is an issue that I\u2019m sure has been discussed by the party leaders, and they will address that at the appropriate time, but it\u2019s not the priority issue for us know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said the deal between Fine Gael and Fianna F\u00e1il is a \u201cno brainer\u201d but that a lot more work needs to be done in order to form a stable coalition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to move on and see if we can form a government. It has been over two months since the election. I believe it is a no brainer. I very much welcome the proposed deal between the two historic foes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be an equality of authority between Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael. There will be an equality of ministers because parties will be entering this historic agreement and doing so on the basis of equality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking to Newstalk FM, he said: \u201cThere is a lot of work to be done here. All we have is a framework and a handshake. We have to ensure flesh is put on the bones of the deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked about who could potentially lose their seat at Cabinet, he said: \u201cThese issues have not been the subject of discussion and I don\u2019t think it is appropriate to get into the personalities of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact the idea that any particular party leader might go first or second \u2013 these issues have not been discussed. They are just the subject of speculation at this stage.\u201d<\/p>\n