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

Ireland's two dominant centre-right political parties have agreed on a coalition deal with independent lawmakers to return to power for another five-year term, the Irish Times reported, citing one of the independent lawmakers.