The Daily Star Ireland
Formal negotiations between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to establish a new Programme for Government are set to begin this evening. This follows a meeting yesterday between party leaders Micheál Martin and Simon Harris, which was described as positive and constructive.
The deputy leaders of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, Jack Chambers and Helen McEntee, will meet to set the groundwork for these talks. This initial discussion will be followed by meetings of each party’s negotiating teams.
Both parties have committed to engaging constructively to form a stable government capable of lasting five years. The discussions will focus on policy areas such as housing, health, justice, and the cost of living, with some indications of broad agreement on the government’s structure.
A joint statement released after the meeting between Martin and Harris emphasized a government based on mutual respect. This is seen as a signal that the office of Taoiseach will once again be rotated between the parties.
In the meantime, Labour leader Ivana Bacik will have separate meetings with both party leaders this afternoon as her party considers its next steps.
Additionally, the Regional Independent TDs will convene in Dublin tomorrow to discuss the outcomes of their initial interactions with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
