Special interest groups round on agreement for 'failing to tackle key issues'

Doctors, gardaí, teachers, and opposition parties have criticised the Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil government formation deal for failing to tackle key problems in their areas, and have warned that the plan offers few details on how long-term crises can be tackled.

The various groups made the claim 24 hours after the deal was finally passed by Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin’s parties, paving the way for a government to potentially be formed between Fine Gael and Independents over the coming days.

Under the document signed off on by the party leaders on Tuesday night the next government is due to sit until at least the end of 2018 when both parties will review whether the minority government is working.