The leaders of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party are expected to sign off on a programme for government later today.

Negotiators are believed to be putting the final touches to the deal, 128 days after the General Election was held.

Micheál Martin, Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan will meet again this afternoon after “very good progress” was made in the talks last night.

The deal includes a 7% annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and increased investment in cycling, walking and public transport.

The Green Party Eamon Ryan arrives at Government Buildings, 14-06-2020. Image: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

Speaking last night, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said he was happy with the draft document:

“There are a lot of really good Green things in the document, there really is,” he said.

“But a document only really gives you the chance to do something; you have to go out and actually do it.

“You can put something down on paper saying, ‘I am going to do this and I am going to do that’ – doing it is the real key.

“But there are a lot, there are a huge number, not just in transport but in quite a wide variety of areas. I think our negotiating team had a big influence.”

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin arrives at government formation talks with party members, 14-06-2020. Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images

Meanwhile, the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the next government would seek “transformative change” while the country recovers from the COVID-19 outbreak.

The deal will see transport spending split 2:1 in favour of public transport over roads – in addition to an annual €360m spend on cycling and walking infrastructure.

Carbon taxes will also increase to €100 per tonne over the next 10 years.

The document also includes proposals to deliver 50,000 social homes over the next five years and to and ramp up the production of affordable homes on State land.

It includes a commitment to replace Direct Provision with a not-for-profit model.

The document also has plans for a new childcare agency to deal with issues in the sector including costs, insurance and standards.

It will outline an exit plan for the COVID recession with no income tax or USC increases, and commit the next government to start repaying the deficit in a three to four-year window.

Other promises include a citizens' assembly on drugs, referendums on the right to water and housing and the banning of imported fracked gas.

The leaders of the three parties will meet again this morning.

Reporting from Seán Defoe