Ireland has moved a step closer to forming a new government. Irish media says a deal was reached Tuesday between Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Regional Independent Group to form a government a month and a half after the election gave no party a majority of seats needed to control parliament.

Ireland’s centrist political parties struck a deal to form a coalition government, backed by a handful of unaligned lawmakers, after weeks of negotiations, according to the Irish Times.

Ireland's two dominant centre-right political parties are close to finalising a coalition deal with independent lawmakers to return to power for another five-year term, two lawmakers said on Tuesday.

An agreement has been reached which will pave the way for a new government to be formed in the Republic of Ireland. This follows the Irish general election in November, in which Fianna Fáil emerged as largest party.

Ireland’s two dominant political parties will return to power for another five-year term after agreeing a new coalition deal following weeks of negotiations.