After more than an hour of crunch talks, Ireland's Finance
Minister Brian Lenihan revealed all parliamentary business
would be cleared for the week to fast-track the Finance
Bill, amid unprecedented political turmoil in Dublin.
"I think it's a good day's work. I think it's important for
the country that we are seen to unite," he said.
The deal, to be signed off by party leaders, would see
extended Dáil sittings over the next four days to pass the
bill by Saturday.
The Parliament would be dissolved by Tuesday for a 25
February election.
The Finance Bill will enforce this year's budget and other
new cost-saving measures, in line with the terms of the
multi-billion euro bail-out by the EU and the IMF.
The main opposition parties - Fine Gael and Labour - and
former coalition partners, the Green Party, have agreed in
principle to the plan.
Sinn Féin, who is opposed to the bill, refused to accept the
deal and is demanding an immediate General Election.
Sinn Féin's Finance Spokesman Pearse Doherty claimed his
party was asked to leave the meeting after lashing out over
proposals to put the bill through the Dáil.
"What is happening in the Department of Finance is nothing
short of disgusting," he said.
"It is the consensus of cuts all over again where the Labour
Party and Fine Gael and the Green Party are supporting the
Government to introduce the Finance Bill by Saturday."
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said his party did not support
all the measures in the Finance Bill and would table amendments.
"The end of this government will be greeted with great
relief by the vast majority of people in this country. They
want a new beginning. They want to see a process of national
recovery. They want a sense of hope again," he said.
Four candidates were officially nominated to
enter the Fianna Fáil leadership race after Taoiseach Brian
Cowen dramatically stood down as party leader on Saturday.
A special meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party
will be convened at 2pm on Wednesday, with the new leader
selected through a secret ballot.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin remains in
pole position to win.
Mr Lenihan, tourism minister Mary Hanafin and social
protection minister Eamon O Cuiv, grandson of Eamon De
Valera, are also fighting it out for the post.
All four are expected to address the weekly parliamentary
party meeting in Leinster House on Tuesday.
The election was originally due to take place on 11 March.