Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has confirmed he is to get a junior ministry position in the Government.

Michael and Danny Healy-Rae have agreed to support the new coalition government involving Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Regional Independents Group.

The draft programme is set to be published after a deal today, and is due to be voted on by party members before the end of this week.

The Healy-Raes say the programme isn't perfect, but it includes issues they want to address and has their stamp on it.

15/02/2022 Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus), Ireland. Day 692 since start of lockdown. Day 25 of greatly reduced restrictions. Pictured are (l to r) Rural Independent Group TDs Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Healy-Rae addressing media on the Plinth outside Leinster House today. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

In a press conference outside Leinster House this morning, Michael Healy-Rae, confirmed he'll be a Minister of State in the next government.

"It's fair to say that there is an arrangement in place where there will be a role at a department, at a Minister of State level, for the Healy-Raes, and it's fair to say that role will be going in my direction.

"But as for what that's going to be, that is obviously at the direction of in-coming Taoiseach".