Updated at 3.15pm

THE INDEPENDENT ALLIANCE have pledged their support to Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar in the vote for Taoiseach next week.

The five members of the Independent Alliance in the Dáil – who are members of Government – have given their support to Varadkar following meetings earlier this week.

A number of agreements were reached between the IA members and Varadkar over the course of these meetings.

Issues discussed included the need for government stability, Brexit, rural affairs and the need to hour commitments laid out in last year’s Programme for Government.

In a statement, the IA members said they had reached a number of specific agreements with Varadkar.

It was agreed that there would be more free votes in the Dáil in future. It was also agreed that a priority would be given to ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Commitments were also made with regards to accelerating certain pieces of legislation. These include:

• The Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017
• The Keeping People in Their Homes Bill 2017
• The Criminal Justice (Commission of Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2017

“Following the meeting, the five members of the Independent Alliance confirmed that they will be supporting Mr Varadkar in the vote for Taoiseach next week,” the Independent Alliance said in a statement.

Varadkar said he welcomed the commitment from the IA.

“I am committed to working with the Independent Alliance and other independent representatives to provide effective leadership and strong government,” the Fine Gael leader said in a statement this afternoon.

“This morning’s talks were open and positive and focused on how we can implement the Programme for Government more effectively. This will involve a review of legislation and seeing which issues can be prioritised.

“There is a renewed enthusiasm across Government for implementing the Programme for Government.

Although Ireland faces many challenges, the most significant of these being Brexit, it’s great to see such positivity and potential for progress.

Leo Varadkar is expected to be voted in as Taoiseach next week after he saw off party rival Simon Coveney to become the leader of Fine Gael.

Read: Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil neck and neck in latest poll