FF progressing toward minority FG government

Fianna Fail will tonight meet to discuss the latest developments in their negotiations with Fine Gael over water charges, as their minority government strategy looks closer to agreement.

The meeting, to be contained in Dail buildings, will tonight discuss a two-, or three-year, suspension of water tax offer from Fine Gael.

Fianna Fail had sought a full Dail term suspension after grass-roots reaction to a climb-down on any pre-election pledge - including the abolishment of Irish Water outright.

The party’s stance has since softened in the eight weeks the country has been without a government with both sides fearing a voter backlash in a return to the polls this year.

Fine Gael members, who meet at 4pm today, have been infuriated by the initial Fianna Fail demand of a five-year stay on water charges with a minority government almost certain not to last a full term.

However, the latest offer looks to be the concession sought by Fianna Fail and though there will be no vote on matters at the meeting it will be sounding-out exercise on whatever terms leader Micheal Martin and his negotiating team are to present.

The meeting is to last, at least, two hours - and with most TDs dreading a return to the poll and wary of a constituent ear-bashing - and is thought to be poised to agree minority-support position.

The water issue is not the only issue on the table for Fianna Fail with housing and mortgage arrears also a sticking issue.