Fine Gael set to ratify programme for government

Fine Gael is expected to give the green light to a programme for government ahead of the coalition taking office on Wednesday.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ News is reporting that the Fine Gael parliamentary party will vote on the programme for government at 11:00 local time on Monday.

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

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

Ballots cast on Monday will be taken to the Fine Gael head office and will be counted after 12:30 local time.

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

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

RTÉ News 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.

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

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