A wedding, stressing over commas, and pizza for dinner: How a programme for government was reached

Talks between the main parties and regional independents surprised some close to the negotiations by how 'aligned' the two groups were on policy, and while they were waiting for it to 'blow up' at some stage, 'there wasn't any drama'

Members of the Regional Independents Group, from left, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Noel Grealish, Gillian Toole, Michael Lowry, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, and Seán Canney TD during a media briefing on Government formation at Leinster House Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Standing in count centres across the country seven weeks ago, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael members had the same realisation.

"You knew straight away that it would be us two and someone else," says one TD.