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Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil approve programme for government

Members of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have overwhelmingly approved the programme for government. ...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

16.04 26 Jun 2020


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Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil appr...

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil approve programme for government

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

16.04 26 Jun 2020


Share this article


Members of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have overwhelmingly approved the programme for government.

Within Fine Gael, the vote was 80% yes to 20% no.

There were 674 votes, representing a 95% turnout of those eligible to vote.

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In Fianna Fáil, the vote was 74% in favour to 26% against.

Earlier, Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar said his party's vote result leaves their party "united and strong" ahead of a potential third consecutive term in government.

He said it was "too early to say" whether the Greens would approve the deal, but he was confident they would.

The Taoiseach said he wasn't sure all four sections of his own party's electoral college would back the programme for government, but a yes vote across them all gives Fine Gael a "strong mandate" for another term in government.

Greens

The Greens are taking longer than expected to count their votes and might not have a result until 8pm this evening.

Earlier, Green Party TD Roderic O’Gorman said he expects the membership of the party to approve the programme.

He suggested the vote "will be tight and the two-thirds majority that our party requires", but he was "feeling more confident" that the deal would get over the line.

If all three parties approve the deal, then the Dáil will hold a special sitting at the Convention Centre Dublin tomorrow to elect a new Taoiseach.

Under the coalition deal, Deputy Martin would hold the role until December 2022, with Leo Varadkar to take over then for the remainder of the new government's term.

If approved, Micheál Martin will tomorrow also appoint his Cabinet ministers.

Sources have also said it looks as though Fine Gael will keep the Foreign Affairs, Finance, Business and Justice portfolios, while Fianna Fáil will take charge of Housing and Public Expenditure, and possibly Education.

Green leader Eamon Ryan is expected to take charge of a new Climate and Transport Department.

Reporting by Sean Defoe and Stephen McNeice
Main image: Pictured in Fine Gael HQ in Dublin is the count of votes from Fine Gael members, to see if they will approve the proposed programme for government. Photograph: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

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