Fine Gael agrees process to ratify potential Programme for Government

Fine Gael’s Executive Council has approved a process to be employed for members to consider a Programme for Government (PfG) if one is agreed.

This process will prioritise membership engagement and facilitate as many Fine Gael members voting as possible.

There will be five regional events for members to attend and vote.

At each event, there will be a presentation on the draft program from members of the negotiating team and there will be a questions and answers session with the members of the negotiating team. Voting will then take place at each meeting.

An electoral college voting system will apply. This means the total vote of the Parliamentary Party will count for 55pc, the members vote will count for 30pc, and the vote of councillors will count for 15pc.

All votes will be counted centrally in Fine Gael Headquarters at the end of the process.

Regional meetings will only be called once the Fine Gael Party Leader Simon Harris advises that a Program for Government has been agreed.

The two-year voting rule for members applies and only members who are included on the current Fine Gael voting register and the 2023/23 register are entitled to vote.

Chairperson of Executive Council, Annette Kent has been appointed as the Returning Officer for any potential ratification process.

“While the negotiations for a Programme for Government are still underway, it is prudent that the Fine Gael Executive Council put in a place a ratification procedure so we can move efficiently if required. I would like to thank the Executive Council Sub-Committee which developed these proposals over the Christmas break.

“At last year’s Ard Fheis we brought in rule changes so that every member with two years membership has a vote in any Programme for Government ratification process. By having five regional events and by focusing those events on explanation of the Programme for Government, our process will allow for genuine engagement from Fine Gael members nationwide, will facilitate as many members as possible in voting and is transparent,” Ms Kent said.