Deal to see USC cuts and Fianna Fáil support for three budgets

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have agreed a provisional deal for a minority government which will see reductions in USC for workers, support for three budgets, and scope for public sector pay rises.

Nine weeks after the general election, negotiations teams from both parties finally wrapped up talks in Dublin yesterday, claiming victory on both sides.

Details of the provisional deal, which needs to be approved by parliamentary parties, are now being examined by Independents whose support is needed for a government.