What we know about government negotiations so far as sticking points start to emerge
IT IS three weeks since Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens began talks to form a historic coalition government.
Discussions have moved slowly, and while all parties say progress is being made there are more than a few sticking points emerging.
Here’s what we know so far:
ECONOMY
Restarting a battered economy is a core objective of the three parties and there will be billions borrowed to do this. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael want to start reducing the budget deficit this will create over the lifetime of the next government. But the Greens question whether this is necessary at a time when health, housing and climate action need major investment.
HOUSING
Building thousands of homes will be a priority. The parties have identified construction as an area where thousands of jobs can be created. But ideological differences on the role of the private sector is causing a split over the Land Development Agency.
HEALTH
The parties are broadly agreed on the need to implement the cross-party Sláintecare plan but there are serious funding issues emerging. The Covid19 testing and PPE bill will be more than €1bn this year and may need to be repeated over the next few years. Fianna Fáil is pushing to take over the ministry, but suggestions the department could be split in two have been dismissed.
CLIMATE
The parties are agreed on the ambitious 7pc emissions reduction target and enacting a new Climate Bill shortly after taking office. They will aim to go beyond the 70pc renewable energy target set for 2030 with plans for a major retrofitting programme and large off-shore wind farms. But discussions on what specific measures may be needed in agriculture have been long-fingered.
OTHER ISSUES
A site-value tax, proposed by the Greens, is being discussed.
There is no agreement on direct provision reforms, but a regularisation scheme for up to 17,000 undocumented migrants is on the table. There are splits over the Occupied Territories Bill and controversial judicial reforms. Policies to reboot the transport and tourism sectors will be discussed today.