Ireland's Prime Minister Enda Kenny said on Saturday that he was looking forward to meeting the new deputy prime minister next week to discuss the agenda for the remainder of the government's term of office.
"I know where I want to be with the government and what we need here is a government of Fine Gael and Labor working in the country's interest and the people's interest," said Kenny.
Kenny made the remarks when he took part in the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, which raises money for local charities.
"We have set out our program already. The strategic economic agenda is one that we'll discuss on Monday and put in place that agenda for the work of the government of the future. I look forward to that."
On Saturday, Kenny, also head of Fine Gael (the United Ireland Party), nominated new Labor Party leader Joan Burton as deputy prime minister.
Burton, who is the minister for social protection, easily won the Labor Party leadership election on Saturday, replacing Eamon Gilmore, who has been the party leader for seven years.
Meanwhile, Gilmore wrote to Kenny, resigning the office of deputy prime minister.
In his letter, Gilmore said that doing so would enable the prime minister to nominate his successor at the earliest possible time.
In late May, Gilmore announced his resignation as Labor Party leader following his party's huge losses at the local and European elections.
He said his resignation as Labor Party leader will take effect after the election of his successor. But Gilmore said he plans to remain in public office, and considers contesting the next general election in 2016.