The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern has conceded that Sinn Féin were the "major winners" and Fianna Fáil the "losers" in the weekend's local and European elections
He has promised a major reshuffle of the party in the autumn and dismissed reports that he would make himself available to be appointed president of the European Commission, insisting he remained committed to leading Fianna Fáil into the next general election.
"It was a bad election for us. We lost this election [and] there's no doubt that Sinn Féin won it," he said today at the official opening of Intel's Fab 24 factory in Kildare.
The Taoiseach said the results clearly indicated some of the Government's polices, particularly in connection with the health service, "are not liked" and bemoaned the loss of support in working classes areas, long considered the traditional Fianna Fáil heartland.
"We have to reflect on our policies," a downbeat Taoiseach said. "We lost a lot of support in working class areas in different parts of the country."
Speaking on RTÉ this morning, the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, said the Government would have to learn the lessons of the weekend electoral drubbing and take tough decisions in areas such as transport, health and education.
