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The Dáil is voting for our next Taoiseach

Local TD Katherine Zappone will probably be offered a ministerial position along with fellow independents Shane Ross and Denis Naughten.

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Fine Gael negotiator Simon Coveney said a Programme for Government with a number of Independents should be ready by midday.

According to RTÉ, the move has been proposed by Paul Kehoe, the Chief Whip, with Fine Gael and Independents running over a draft document totalling 160 pages on government plans looking ahead to the future.

It is the fourth vote, but the first with realistic chance of success, after he secured the agreement last week of Ireland’s second largest party, Fianna Fail, to abstain to facilitate the formation of a minority government.

Enda Kenny’s desperate bid to enter the history books may yet be delayed, after it emerged that some disagreements remain between Independent TDs and Fine Gael.

Housing and homelessness takes up a significant chunk with a new minister in this area and a promise to end the use of hotels and B and B’s for families with another 500 “quick build” homes.

The percentage of patients waiting longer than six hours in emergency departments is also to drop from the current rate of 32pc to less than 7pc by 2021.

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It’s also believed a new government would increase the minimum wage and possibly open a new Stardust inquiry.

Enda Kenny