Humble deal but with something for everybody in the audience

The statements of the new programme for government outline a humble approach being taken by the new administration, while the detail offers something for everybody in the audience.

Scant in detail in places, the 166-page draft document does reveal the deals secured by Independents and some measures flagged during the general election campaign.

If Enda Kenny gets his minority government over the line today during the fourth vote for taoiseach, the document will be scrutinised in the days to come, not only by politicians and the media, but by campaign groups, departments, and citizens who voted for Fine Gael and Independents in February’s election.