Irish parties agree coalition deal

Ireland's Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Green parties struck a deal to form a new coalition government on Monday that if ratified by grassroots members will end a months-long political deadlock, a government spokesman said.

The agreement must be approved over the coming 10 days or so by members from each party, with the smaller Greens requiring two-thirds support, a higher bar than the larger two historic rival parties and which could yet scupper the deal.

The parties want the new government in place before the end of June as the fractured parliament cannot pass any new laws, including those to uphold a 6.5 billion euro coronavirus-related package of business supports, without a new administration.