THE final shape of the new Programme for Government is to be sanctioned by the Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrats leaders today.
Following their last day of negotiations, teams from both parties met again last night to put the finishing touches to the document which is expected to receive Mr Bertie Ahern's and Ms Mary Harney's approval today.
As plans went ahead to secure the backing of the respective parties for the five year plan, speculation continued on the makeup of the next Cabinet. It is now believed that, in addition to becoming Tanaiste, Ms Harney will also be made Minister for the newly titled Department of Employment and Trade.
The Progressive Democrats leader wanted to secure a senior economic portfolio and she is expected to be joined by one colleague, probably Mr Bobby Molloy, in Cabinet where he will take the position now held by Mr Pat Rabbitte (Minister of State to the Government and to the Department of Enterprise and Employment).
The party's Dublin South TD, Ms Liz O'Donnell, is expected to be made a Minister of State with special responsibility in the area of children's rights, while the former leader, Mr Des O'Malley, is likely to be made a chairman of an Oireachtas committee, such as foreign affairs, which carries a remuneration of about £10,000 on top of the standard TD's salary.
A meeting of the Progressive Democrats General council made up of its parliamentary party, councillors, constituency officers, trustees and the Young PDs will take place in Dublin tomorrow night to approve the programme.
At the same time, a meeting of the Fianna Fail front bench will consider the document and the deputies are also expected to give it their seal of approval.
Fianna Fail deputies, senators and MEPs will meet on Thursday to authorise the document which promises a £400 million package of tax reductions and reliefs as well as a crackdown on crime and drug abuse.
Meanwhile, Mr Ahern is continuing to address the issue of who should make his new coalition Cabinet.
Party sources take the view that the finance ministry may go to the party's health spokesman, Mr Brian Cowen. Another senior portfolio would be given to the front bench finance spokesman, Mr Charlie McCreevy.
It is also thought that the party's deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, may be asked to take on the large Department of Transport, Energy and Communications. The Cork deputy, Mr Micheal Martin, is hotly tipped to become Minister at the newly named Department of Education and the Gaeltacht. Much speculation is focusing on who will become the next Minister for Foreign Affairs to replace Mr Dick Spring. A number of senior party figures are said to be interested in the post, including the former incumbent, Mr David Andrews, Mrs O'Rourke, and the party's present spokesman on the brief, Mr Ray Burke.
The fate of the justice ministry is also a matter of conjecture. The names linked to the portfolio are Mr John O'Donoghue the present front bench justice spokesman - and the chief whip, Mr Dermot Ahern.