Independents:Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is expected to conclude deals today with two more Independent TDs for their support for a full five-year term in government.
Dublin Central TD Finian McGrath and Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry were negotiating with Fianna Fáil advisers on packages for their constituencies up to late last night.
This follows Jackie Healy-Rae and Mr Ahern signing a deal on Monday evening in which the Kerry South TD secured commitments worth tens of millions of euro for his constituency.
Last night, Mr McGrath was understood to be "90 per cent" near securing a deal, including a commitment for extra public hospital beds for Beaumont Hospital and for funding for people with disabilities and for those with educational disadvantages. There will be a specific commitment for the Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf. It is expected that Mr McGrath will sign a deal with Mr Ahern today.
It was learned yesterday that one of the commitments won by Mr Healy-Rae was to change the name of the west Kerry Gaeltacht town An Daingean to Dingle/Daingean Uí Chúis. There was outcry when the name Dingle was changed to An Daingean by Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon Ó Cuív in 2005 under the Official Languages Act. Late last year, more than 1,000 people voted in a plebiscite to apply to the Government to change the name to Dingle/Daingean Uí Chúis. The proposal was carried by over 90 per cent, but the Government never acted on it.
Major investment in roads, bridges and roundabouts for south-west Kerry, including the Dingle Peninsula, are also promised to Mr Healy-Rae. That includes a roundabout for Lissivigeen Cross on the main Cork to Killarney road. Six million euro will be given to repair Killarney House and to fund the purchase of community lands from the HSE landbank in Killarney.
Mr Healy-Rae said yesterday that the deal was an "excellent outcome" for south and southwest Kerry. Asked if he would now be supporting a Fianna Fáil-led government, he replied: "You can be certain I'll be supporting him [ Bertie Ahern] on Thursday."
Mr Lowry was talking to key Fianna Fáil advisers about his wish-list for Tipperary North and it is understood progress was made. Mayo TD Beverly Flynn did not return calls yesterday.
Independent Dublin Central TD Tony Gregory said last night that he had had no formal approach from Fianna Fáil. He said that if the Greens' deal collapsed it was possible that he would be approached.