Mr Bertie Ahern's proposal that Fianna Fail was prepared to consider a new coalition with "Labour was described yesterday as "a very reasonable statement from his party's point of view" by the Tanaiste and Labour Party leader, Mr Spring.
Speaking on RTE Radio, Mr Spring said that "for the future there is no reason why the parties can't work together" but he was somewhat surprised" at Mr Ahern's timing. The Government was "working well" and, until there was a general election, "these matters will not arise".