Micheál Martin a step closer to becoming Taoiseach as Fianna Fáil approve programme for government

Fianna Fáil have become the second party to approve the proposed programme for government.

Michéal Martin will almost certainly become Taoiseach on Saturday. Picture: PA

Fianna Fáil has voted to approve the programme for government by a margin of 74% to 26%, paving the way for Michéal Martin to become Taoiseach on Saturday.

The resounding margin is far above what some had predicted, with fears early on Friday that the party's membership would be narrowly split on the deal. In the end, 8,194 members of the 11,000 ballots voted in favour of the coalition with the Green Party and Fine Gael.