THE LEADERS OF FINE GAEL AND LABOUR WILL HOLD THEIR FIRST OFFICIAL MEETING LATER TODAY SINCE AGREEING TO FORM A COALITION GOVERNMENT.

FINE GAEL LEADER ENDA KENNY AND LABOUR PARTY EAMON GILMORE HAVE SAID THEY'LL 'GET DOWN TO WORK' AFTER MEMBERS OF BOTH THEIR PARTIES BACKED THE PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT YESTERDAY.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE MAKE UP OF THE CABINET IS NOT EXPECTED UNTIL JUST BEFORE THE NEW DÁIL MEETS ON WEDNESDAY.

HOWEVER, THERE IS CONCERN THAT THERE MAY BE NO TD FROM THE CONNAUGHT / ULSTER REGION IN THE NEW CABINET MAKE UP.

WHILE CONNAUGHT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE THE TAOISEACH, NO OTHER FINE GAEL OR LABOUR TD IN THE REGION ARE BEING NAMED BY THE NATIONAL MEDIA AS LIKELY CONTENDERS FOR ANY MINISTERIAL POSITION.

HOWEVER, AT THIS POINT THIS IS ALL SPECULATION.