FF endorses programme for govt

Fianna Fáil's parliamentary party tonight endorsed the revised Programme for Government agreed with coalition partners the Green Party.

The revised Programme for Government was unanimously endorsed at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party held tonight at Leinster House.

Talks last Friday night between senior Fianna Fail and Green Party negotiators resulted in the revised programme for government which includeing a single rate of tax relief on private pension contributions, a “site valuation tax”, the abolition of the Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI) ceiling, the introduction of water charges and a carbon tax in the 2010 budget.

The Green Party voted overwhelmingly to support the revised programme at a convention in Dublin on Saturday.

Also at this evening's meeting, Dáil Deputy John Browne of Wexford was chosen as the new parliamentary party chairman following the election of Louth TD Séamus Kirk as the new ceann comhairle.

Mr Kirk resigned as parliamentary party chairman after succeeding outgoing Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue, who stepped down from his post following a controversy over his travel and other expenses.