However, the Fine Gael leader did not get a mandate from TDs, senators and MEPs to negotiate a programme for government with Fianna Fáil, as had been expected. In a statement, Fine Gael parliamentary party chairman Martin Heydon confirmed that Mr Varadkar warned that school closures and restrictions could remain in place for another two months. The two-hour phone meeting also heard Fine Gael will lead the rebuilding of the Irish economy again as the country enters an extremely hard time. 1The teleconference comes after Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil held only one day of talks this week. Earlier, a Fine Gael reference group also discussed today the issue of the two parties working together.

Source: Irish Examiner March 19, 2020 20:37 UTC