Fine Gael and Labour have agreed on joint actions in the Dβil, following official talks on maximising their impact in the run up to the general election.
The two parties are also expected to co-operate in the selection of candidates in key constituencies where there is a chance of unseating a Government deputy. Discussions have taken place with the Green Party to involve them in a sustained parliamentary assault on the Government from the Opposition benches.
As a result of talks over the past month, next week is expected to see the third consecutive private members' motion sponsored jointly by Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens to highlight common anti-Government positions.
Next week's motion is designed to embarrass the Government over the decision not to increase eligibility limits for medical cards. It follows this week's motion to censure Independent deputy Mr Tom Gildea, and last week's motion on the McBrearty affair .
Labour gave Fine Gael its private members time for the Gildea motion this week. On both motions the Opposition won a high profile.
The discussions were conducted mainly by Fine Gael's Mr Phil Hogan and Labour's Mr Pat Magner. Sources in both parties expect their talks to result in co-operation on candidate selection in key constituencies such as Cork North Central and Cork South Central.
"Having established in the last four years and at our conference that we can do business with Fianna Fβil if we absolutely have to do it," a senior Labour source said yesterday, "we can now get on with the business of pursuing our preferred option."