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Simon Harris and team Fine Gael pictured in December. RollingNews.ie

Fine Gael parliamentary party and members vote in favour of Programme for Government

The deal for the new government is now essentially done and dusted.

FINE GAEL’S PARLIAMENTARY party has voted overwhelmingly in favour of ratifying the Programme for Government.

The party announced the news this afternoon on X, formerly Twitter. 

Some 93.9% of members voted in favour of the document, while 6.1% voted against, according to the returning officer. Fine Gael have not released a further breakdown of the figures. 

In a statement, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris welcomed the decision of Fine Gael members to re-enter government.

Harris said:

“Fine Gael has been engaging with members across the country over recent days outlining our commitment to deliver on the issues that matter to people. 

“I am really pleased members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Programme for Government.”

He said his party will enter government with an “absolute determination” to deliver support for small businesses, more homes and homeownership, and a radically different approach to disability services.

“We will always back farmers and rural Ireland. The Fine Gael team will now deliver that agenda in government,” he concluded.

As Fine Gael is the final member of the incoming government to ratify the document, the new government can now begin the process of nominating Micheál Martin as Taoiseach when the Dáil returns on Wednesday.  

Yesterday, at a special Ard Fheis in Dublin City, Fianna Fáil members voted overwhelmingly in support of the document. 

Fine Gael TDs and senators cast their vote on the document between 11am and 12pm today in Leinster House before the ballots were transported to Fine Gael’s HQ where counting will begin. 

The ratification process within Fine Gael began in Dublin on Friday night, with the party holding five regional events across the country for its members. 

The draft Programme for Government was published last week and sets out the ambitions and goals of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Regional Independents and the Healy Raes for the next five years. 

Not all rosey

Although the ratification process is largely seen as a box-ticking exercise within Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, there has been some disquiet among backbenchers in both parties. 

Speaking off the record, a number of TDs have expressed unhappiness with what they see as large concessions made to the Independents in government. 

The Independents have secured two super junior ministerial positions, three junior ministerial positions and Verona Murphy put in the Ceann Comhairle spot. 

“Too much,” one Fine Gael TD told The Journal. 

The other controversy that has arisen before the government even begins is a row over Dáil speaking time, with a number of Independent TDs, who were not giving a government ministry, seeking Dáil speaking time by forming an Opposition technical group.

Yesterday, Micheál Martin played down the issue, saying it is one the public are not concerned about – however, some of his backbenchers disagreed. 

Martin was also asked again about Michael Lowry’s involvement in Government, with the Fianna Fáil leader defending it despite previously calling for his resignation. 

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris will likely face similar questions this week.

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