Fianna Fail and Fine Gael unveil historic Government coalition document

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have published their joint Government mission.

The two parties are on course to enter a historic coalition together and the policy paper that will underscore this has been launched this afternoon.

It features ten policy areas, or missions, as they are called in the document, that will be the basis for a programme for government.

The document will be discussed at two parliamentary party meetings this afternoon.

This will give the grassroots members the chance to have their say through the TDs, Senators and MEPs that will be at the meeting.

Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin at the Virgin Media Television Studios for the General Election 2020 debate (MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE)

It is anticipated that both meetings could be fiery affairs.

If the meetings sanction the document, then the two party leaders, Micheál Martin (FF) and Leo Varadkar (FG) will go to the three smaller parties they want to join them in Government, Labour, the Greens and the Social Democrats, and offer them the document as the basis for coalition discussions.

They want one of them to join them as a “third pillar” in the proposed new coalition.

The ten missions are:

• Reigniting and Renewing the Economy
• Universal Healthcare
• Housing for All
• A New Social Contract
• A New Green Deal
• A Better Quality of Life for All
• Supporting Young Ireland
• Opportunities through Education and Research
• A Shared Island
• At the Heart of Europe: Global Citizenship

The joint statement from the two parties says: “As we emerge from this Emergency, we will continue to be guided by, and act on, the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin (Canva)

“Our approach will be built on the fundamental values of community and solidarity.

“These are the values which have been central to our shared national response to this Emergency and they must be the values that drive the work of the next Government.

“With a view to forming a historic coalition, we now invite other parties and groupings to enter discussions on building a Programme for Government.

“Our citizens deserve a Government that works for the good of Ireland and its people – a Government that lasts.

“Let us build it together.”