Danny and Michael Healy-Rae continue discussions with big parties late into the night

Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Regional Independents have reached a deal on a programme for government — but negotiations with the brothers and Kerry TDs continued late on Tuesday

Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Healy-Rae arriving at Goverment Buildings on Tuesday afternoon when they continued the discussions they have been having with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael since Friday about possibly supporting a new coalition. Picture: Stephen Collins

Talks between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Healy-Raes continued late into Tuesday night, with the Kerry TDs still to decide whether or not to support the incoming government.

Both Michael Healy-Rae and Danny Healy-Rae held discussions with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin on Tuesday, in the wake of a programme for government deal being reached between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Regional Independents.

On Tuesday evening, sources indicated that a single junior ministerial position would be on offer if the two Kerry TDs opted to support the incoming coalition.

Simon Harris: In talks with the Kerry TDs along with Mr Martin.

Initially, the two had sought a position at the Cabinet table through a super junior ministry, but this was declined by both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

Two super junior ministries are instead due to be handed out to the Regional Independents, with TDs Seán Canney and Noel Grealish expected to receive promotions.

One source close to the Healy-Raes indicated on Tuesday that the talks were likely to stretch into the evening, with “lots to do”.

Earlier on Tuesday, Michael Healy-Rae played down the importance of the super junior role for his and his brother’s support of the government, saying that it was “not about positions”.

Micheál Martin: Had earlier said that the Healy-Rae brothers were ‘credible partners’ for government.

He said that their main priority would be providing for the people of Kerry.

Both Michael and Danny declined to set out what they were seeking for Kerry in the latest round of talks, but the latter said it wouldn’t be possible to put a figure on it because it was “so much”.

Before Tuesday’s negotiations got underway, Michael Healy-Rae said he expected the talks to go on late into the evening.

Talks between the two larger parties and the Healy-Raes initially kicked off in December but became serious as negotiations resumed in January.

Initially, Michael Healy-Rae had said he was willing to consider everything in talks with both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Brothers and TDs for the Kerry constituency Michael Healy Rae and Danny Healy Rae in the Dáil chamber. File picture: Maxwells

He said that his three main priorities were Kerry, Kerry, and Kerry.

Mr Healy-Rae said that improving the “inadequate” health services in Kerry would be a key issue for him and added that — as with the rest of the country — the shortage of housing is a major problem and there needs to be more land made available to build on.

Several meetings between the Kerry TDs and the leaders of both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael took place, with Tánaiste Micheál Martin previously describing the two as credible partners in government.

He said that discussions he had had with the brothers were “substantive” and that they had focused on national policy issues.