Fianna Fail and the Green Party have reached agreement on a new programme for government after more than 60 hours of talks.
Shortly before 9pm the six negotiators appeared on the steps of Government Buildings to announce that they had succeded in reaching agreement.
Noel Dempsey, Dermot Ahern and Mary Hanafin of Fianna Fail and Eamon Ryan, Mary White and Dan Boyle of the Greens confirmed the new programme.
In a statement, Green Party leader John Gormley said he was happy to confirm the Government partners have agreed a revised programme for government ''aimed at tackling the serious challenges facing the Irish people''.
“The Green Party’s TDs and senators will be recommending this to our members for approval at a special convention at the RDS in Dublin tomorrow. It comes after 60 hours of discussions with our government partners who we thank for their help and cooperation,'' he said.
“The programme will re-direct the work of government to better tackle economic recession and address the serious environmental challenges ahead. It will help protect and create jobs while also aiming to restore public confidence in politics. It will also help government do more with less resources while also protecting the most vulnerable in our society.”
“Above all, it will position Ireland to take advantage of a hoped-for world economic recovery through developing a new green economy.”
“We hope to present full details of the revised programme to our Green Party members and to the Irish people tomorrow morning.”
A motion to remain in government on the basis of the revised programme for government will require a two-thirds majority from the estimated 800 members at the party's special conference at the RDS tomorrow.
This vote will be followed by a debate on a dissident motion calling on the Green TDs to reject the National Asset Management Agency (Nama), which also requires a two-thirds majority in order to be passed.
The Green Party leader John Gormley met with the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen this evening after negotiating parties failed to agree on the new progamme in the early afternoon as was widely predicted.
In recent days, Green Party sources played down the possibility of a successful outcome to the talks on a new programme for Government but Fianna Fáil sources appeared more confident a deal would be struck.
Sources close to the talks said rolling back cuts in education had been “a bit of a stumbling block” and had caused a “hiccup” earlier in the week.
A major issue for the Greens was their demand for a restoration of a pupil-teacher ratio of one to 27 in primary schools. In last October’s budget, the figure was increased to 28.
Speaking today in advance of a pre-budget forum for community groups and charities, Minister for Social Welfare Mary Hanafin the two Green ministers were ''very committed members of Government and very good members of the team''.
From a Fianna Fáil point of view the programme was a good one, she said, that emphasised jobs and regenerating the economy.
Green party whip Ciarán Cuffe said last night his party would walk if an agreement was not reached by lunchtime today.
On his blog Mr Cuffe wrote: “I don't know if we can reach agreement…There's been progress, but the clock is ticking...”
Last night the Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the mood surrounding the negotiations was very “good“, adding “a lot of progress is being made".
And the Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin said it was important to get a good policy substance into the programme in order to get agreement from the Green Party members tomorrow.