Breaking news on Boxer's Ministerial future

Longford/Westmeath Independent Alliance TD Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran is expected to share a junior ministry with Galway TD Sean Canney during the lifetime of the Government.

It’s not known what portfolio the two will share, although Canney will be the initial postholder with Boxer set to take over at a point in the future.

An agreement on the distribution of Ministerial and Junior Ministerial posts was hammered out today in talks with Fine Gael representatives while the Dail was in sessions.

It’s expected the Independent Alliance will have a senior, super junior and two junior Ministerial posts in the new Government, with Canney and Boxer sharing one of the junior posts.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will announce the Cabinet posts today with the junior ministers set to be confirmed on Tuesday.

Boxer told the Westmeath Independent that last-ditch talks this morning over the issue of turf cutting failed to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of Independent Alliance member Roscommon/Galway Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice.

Boxer said the believed a good offer had been made but, Fitzmaurice, having opted not to back the Fine Gael-led government, gave the Independent Alliance his blessing to proceed without him.

Speaking after what he said was one of the hardest five days of his life, Boxer Moran said the Independent Alliance had little choice but to engage with Fine Gael in ensuring the country had a Government.

“When Fianna Fail put their shoulder to the wheel and supported Fine Gael, we always said we wouldn’t be found wanting in working to form a Government.

Boxer described the Programme for Government as a “very good document”.

“I have a few good bits and pieces that I have been promised and hopefully when we are in Government I can deliver on these projects.”

He said at the end of the day he was in politics to get things done and being in Government gave him the opportunity to do that.

Separately, it's expected that Roscommon independent Denis Naughten will be in cabinet, with the Minister for Jobs, Rural Affairs and Transport among those speculated.