A six-member team has been appointed by the Labour Party to open exploratory talks with Democratic Left on the potential for a merger between the two parties, Geraldine Kennedy, Political Correspondent, writes.
The deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin, will head the Labour team, which comprises Mr Ray Kavanagh, general secretary; Senator Pat Magner, national organiser; Ms Jan O'Sullivan; Mr Tommy Broughan; and Mr Morgan Stack, an executive member from Kerry North.
Mr Howlin said last night that the aim of the talks will be to examine new arrangements between Labour and Democratic Left which will advance the left in politics. The question of a merger was not on the agenda "right now", he added.
Commenting on the apology given to him on Wednesday by the leader, Mr Quinn, Mr Howlin told The Irish Times that "he (Mr Quinn) accepted that I believed that his tactics were not in the spirit of the leadership election contest. He apologised to me for that".
The Dublin MEP, Ms Bernie Malone, was selected as the Labour candidate for the European elections at a convention in Dublin last night.