Fianna Fáil members have voted to formally ratify the programme for government at a special Ard Fheis in Dublin today (Sunday, January 19).

812 members of the party voted in favour of going back into government, with 62 deciding to vote against.

The draft programme for government was published earlier this week after Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael agreed to form the next government, along with the support of a number of independent TDs.

Fine Gael is holding five regional meetings with party members to discuss the programme for government document. A result from those votes is expected on Monday (January 20).

In his address this afternoon, Fianna Fáil leader and Tánaiste Micheál Martin recommended to party members "acceptance of an ambitious and exciting programme for government".

"Ireland has achieved a tremendous amount, but we have to go further. We have to steer through a period of real international turbulence. We have to protect our economy.

"And we have to use resources available to us to both address urgent needs and shape our country’s future," he said.

Martin said the draft programme for government wants to "deliver a new era in support for communities, both urban and rural".

"We have agreed to develop and implement a series of initiatives which will help communities develop, protect key services and show that, as a country, we can move forward together.

"This is our strongest national industry. It is at the core of communities and culture throughout our country.

"In Europe and nationally, this new government will promote the interests of rural Ireland.

"We will promote the fundamental role of food security and secure income supports as critical to Europe’s strength," he said.

The Fianna Fáil leader added that the party rejects the idea that you cannot support the economy while protecting the environment.

"The new government will be absolutely committed to delivering on Ireland’s responsibility to address the climate crisis – and we will also be resolute in taking action to protect and promote our nature and biodiversity.

"Across government, we will support sustainable development – and roll-out action which can both protect livelihoods and our environment," he said.

Micheál Martin is expected to be elected Taoiseach on Wednesday (January 22) when the Dáil resumes. He will then remain Taoiseach until late 2027 when Fine Gael leader Simon Harris will take over the role.

Earlier this week, Deputy Marian Harkin highlighted the contribution of the Regional Independent Group to draft programme for government.

The independent TD for the Sligo–Leitrim was among the negotiators for the Regional Group in the government formation talks.

She expressed satisfaction that "several significant policy priorities" had been included in the document.

Harkin emphasised the programme’s promise to strengthen farm incomes and welcomed its clear opposition to the current Mercosur deal, which is of deep concern for the agricultural sector.

“The cause of balanced regional development brought me into politics in the first place, so I am heartened by the commitment to additional support for the northwest and to ensuring greater transparency and oversight of expenditure on a regional basis,” she added.

Deputy Harkin also highlighted commitments to abolish the means test for family carers, reduce the pupil-teacher ratio to 19:1 and measures aimed at accelerating housing supply and the continued support for one-off rural housing.