Deal reached with Fine Gael, Fianna Fail to form new Irish government

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - A new Irish government is on the horizon after the Regional Independent Group (RIG) struck a deal with the Fine Gael and Fianna Fail parties, securing its support for the coalition, according to local media reports.

The agreement includes significant concessions, including the allocation of two super junior ministries to the RIG, granting the group two seats in the Cabinet.

The draft program for government now incorporates key RIG policies, a development welcomed by Michael Lowry, an independent member of the lower house of parliament who confirmed the group’s satisfaction with the deal.

“It has been a long and painstaking process. We are happy that most of our policy document is reflected in the program for government,” he said.

Lowry also highlighted the establishment of agreed structures for ongoing communication between the RIG and the government parties.

The final agreement is set to be formally approved by the RIG, as well as the Fine Gael and Fianna Fail parliamentary parties, in meetings scheduled for tomorrow.

Lowry dismissed speculation that the RIG’s demands were narrowly focused on local concerns, emphasizing the group’s commitment to national priorities.

"Contrary to media speculation about this being a parish pump thing, we were conscious of the national issues and fed in to all of those," he said.

While the specifics of the ministerial roles have not yet been disclosed, Lowry indicated that an "agreement in principle" on these positions has been reached.