Fianna Fáil’s health spokesperson has warned that the incoming government faces a ‘Herculean task’ in the coming months.

Stephen Donnelly was speaking after the parliamentary parties of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens accepted the proposed programme for government.

The deal will now go to their party memberships for approval with a triple announcement expected on Friday week.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Fianna Fáil health spokesperson Stephen Donnelly said members need to be given time to consider the 100-page document.

“It is a very detailed document,” he said. “We are nearly four-and-a-half months since the General Election and we are in the middle of the biggest economic and health crisis the country has every faced, so there is a lot of detail in here.

“First of all, people needed to be given a bit of time. All of the parties need to talk to their members, listen to their members and be very respectful of their councillors and other members all over the country because people will have a lot of questions.”

The Tánaiste Simon Coveney, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe arrive at Government Buildings, 15-06-2020. Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images

He said the document was “very difficult” to put together over months of talks.

“All of the parties have different priorities, all of the parties have different strengths and all of the parties have good ideas,” he said.

“Certainly, what I see in here is a very good and decent collection of those that pulls those together into a coherent plan.”

He said the incoming government is faced with a “Herculean task.”

“The real challenge is we are facing the biggest economic crisis arguably we have ever faced; we are looking at borrowing over €30bn this year,” he said.

“Take healthcare. Healthcare before COVID arrived was in big trouble but the economy was going well, there was money to invest.

“Health care now has much bigger challenges and there is a lot less money around.”

The Wicklow TD said a decision on who would become the next Minister for health was “way above my pay grade” but admitted he would lover to help bring universal health care to Ireland.

You can listen back to the full interview here.