Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin have signed off on a framework document on going into coalition together.
After a meeting today, the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil leaders approved the document put together by their negotiating teams last week.
They agreed that they would enter government on an equal footing and that the coalition must include at least three parties.
The document includes broad brush strokes of what they want to do in government together when it comes to housing, the healthcare system and childcare among other things.
Meanwhile, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic will play a big part in any deal.
But despite the two leaders agreeing, this is far from done. The document has to go to both parliamentary parties for their approval.
It will then be circulated to the Greens, Social Democrats, Labour and Independent TDs as they try to convince them to become part of the next government.
At the moment the smaller parties are saying they are not interested – but both Mr Varadkar and Deputy Martin have expressed hope that the document will change their stance.
Reporting from Seán Defoe …
