The prospect of a coalition between Labour and Fianna Fβil following the next general election is facing increased opposition within the Labour Party.
Two members of the Labour front bench have now stated their opposition publicly - Ms R≤is∅n Shortall and Mr Pat Rabbitte - and according to some party sources the anti-Fianna Fβil feeling is hardening.
The party's official position is not to rule out the prospect of such an arrangement ahead of an election.
Ms Shortall said yesterday there was a "strong feeling" among the parliamentary party and party members that "we really wouldn't want anything to do with Fianna Fβil". The negative feelings towards Fianna Fβil were increasing, she said, and "have been quite strong for some time".
Her rejection follows similar remarks from Mr Pat Rabbitte, who said on the Vincent Browne radio programme last week he could not see himself serving in a Fianna Fβil-led government and he would like to see that party in opposition for the next 10 years.
Ms Shortall said "technically" there was an argument for keeping all options open ahead of an election; there were three options - a coalition with Fianna Fβil, a rainbow coalition or not being in government. "I would prefer not being in government with Fianna Fβil. There is a sense that people could feel differently after an election, but in the cold light of day it would be the very strong view of the parliamentary party, and this is growing in intensity, that Fianna Fβil is not good for the country and not good for politics."
Party leader Mr Ruair∅ Quinn has signalled a strong preference for coalition with Fine Gael but said he does not want his hands tied ahead of an election. The decision on coalition would be made at a party conference following the election.
At a Labour Christmas party last week, Mr Quinn told guests the key task in the New Year would be to "get the bastards out".
At the party's annual conference last October the Labour Executive Committee, reflecting the view of the leadership, tabled a motion stating that Labour should contest the next election as an independent party on its own distinctive policy platform, leaving all options open. The conference voted 6 to 1 to allow the option of coalition with Fianna Fβil.
However, one TD said the option of staying out of government was "not well articulated" at the conference.
The party's finance spokesman, Mr Derek McDowell, said it was not a secret that some people would prefer a coalition with Fine Gael and the Greens "if those circumstances are available".
However, he said Labour should not be "regarding all current Fianna Fβil voters as pariahs. We do need to pitch our message so as to persuade people to vote for us on the grounds that we are offering something better, rather than just being anti-Fianna Fail."
Mr Brendan Howlin, deputy leader, said he was strongly of the view that the party leadership should be allowed flexibility. "As soon as we rule out one option we rule in another. Our bargaining chips are weaker."