Following the general election, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael held a combined 86 seats—just two short of a majority. The new deal with Independent TDs will now secure them a majority, paving the way for government formation.

The Regional Independent Group includes Michael Lowry, Seán Canney, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Noel Grealish, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, and Gillian Toole.

Verona Murphy, a former member of the group, played a key role in early government formation talks. The Wexford TD’s successful nomination as Ceann Comhairle was widely seen as a positive step, with backing from both Micheál Martin and Simon Harris.

According to The Irish Times, the new agreement includes two Independent super junior ministers. These ministers will attend Cabinet meetings but will not have the full powers of Cabinet ministers.

With this deal in place, a government is set to be formed when the Dáil reconvenes next Wednesday, January 22nd. Micheál Martin is expected to be elected Taoiseach, while the agreement also reinstates the rotating Taoiseach arrangement—meaning Simon Harris is likely to take over in two and a half years.

Michael Lowry, considered the leader of the Regional Independent Group, played a central role in the negotiations, though his involvement remains controversial.

Lowry was previously the subject of the Moriarty Tribunal, a judge-led inquiry into payments to politicians. The tribunal, which began in 1997 and published its final report in 2011, found that Lowry, a former Fine Gael TD, helped businessman Denis O’Brien secure the State’s second mobile phone licence in 1995. His conduct was described as “profoundly corrupt.”

Speaking about today’s agreement, Lowry said:

“It has been a prolonged, painstaking exercise. We went through it in very meticulous detail. The negotiations have been very intensive.

“I’m pleased, and our negotiators are pleased, that our policy document and the initiatives we requested are reflected within the programme for government. We look forward to completing the process next Wednesday with the formation of a government.”

As part of the deal, Harris’ proposed Department of Infrastructure and a Fianna Fáil-backed Home Affairs Department will not be created as separate entities. Instead, their functions will be incorporated into the Department of Public Expenditure and the Department of Justice.

While the Regional Independent Group still needs to formally approve the agreement, they are expected to sign off on it by Wednesday. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parliamentary parties will also review the deal that day.

Meanwhile, the Healy-Rae brothers had been in discussions about supporting the government, which would further strengthen its position in key votes. They were reportedly seeking a super junior ministry for either Danny or Michael Healy-Rae, but The Irish Times reports that this will not happen.

However, the Kerry Independents remain in talks and have emphasized that their priority is securing benefits for their Kerry constituency.