Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael face a long road to forming a coalition after their much-­anticipated policy framework document received a cold response from other political parties. Labour Party leader Alan Kelly said the agreement between the two parties was "purely aspirational" and criticised the lack of costings in the document. At the Fine Gael meeting, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it would be June before a government was formed. Even TDs who previously criticised plans to enter government with Fine Gael did not object to the framework document. The policy platform will be officially sent to smaller political parties today, and further negotiations are expected to begin next week.

Source: Irish Independent April 16, 2020 01:30 UTC