Fine Gael leader and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar | Donall Farmer/Getty Images Ireland’s Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil agree blueprint for government The two traditional rivals will need support if they are to form a government.

LONDON — The leaders of Ireland's Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil parties on Tuesday agreed a joint policy "framework" as they seek to form a government following February's general election.

Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, the leader of Fine Gael, met Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin to approve the blueprint.

A statement published on the Fine Gael website following the meeting said: "Both leaders met this morning and agreed the framework document. Both leaders will brief their respective parliamentary parties tomorrow."

The two parties, traditionally rivals, will need the support of at least one other smaller party, or eight independent members of the parliament, to secure a majority.

February's election saw the three largest parties each win a share of the vote between 20 percent and 25 percent. Fianna Fáil won the most seats, but was just one ahead of Sinn Féin, which won a record 37 seats. Fine Gael finished with 35 seats.