The election of Mr Ruairi Quinn as the Labour Party's new leader was greeted warmly in Leinster House, with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, stating he would make an important and constructive contribution to Irish political life.
Among the first to congratulate Mr Quinn, the Taoiseach said he valued the "friendly co-operation" they shared in the past and he now looked forward to working constructively with him "on the people's behalf as a fellow party leader in the Dail".
Echoing his sentiments, the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Ms Harney, said Mr Quinn had had a very distinguished career in the Dail, in both government and opposition, and "he is eminently qualified for the task which now lies before him".
The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, said he too looked forward to co-operating with Mr Quinn.
According to the leader of Democratic Left, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, he would be seeking an early meeting with Mr Quinn to discuss areas of co-operation between the two parties.
He expected Mr Quinn to be an effective and capable leader of the Labour Party.
"I look forward to continuing with the good friendly relationship we had established with the Labour Party under Dick Spring's leadership. The Left in Ireland is still comparatively weak by European standards, with the combined vote of Labour and Democratic Left at the general election reaching only 13 per cent," Mr De Rossa said.
There was "plenty of space for growth by both parties" and one of the significant advantages of the electoral system was that it provided voters with a wide range of parties from which to choose.
"Democratic Left and the Labour Party have distinct political philosophies and historical backgrounds which we can both use in a spirit of co-operation to advance the interests of progressive politics in Ireland," he added.
Welcoming the election of Mr Quinn to the leadership of the Labour Party, Ms Harney said she held him in very high regard and that he had been a very successful minister in several departments. "I wish him well."
Asked about Mr Quinn's pledge not to return to government before a general election, Ms Harney said there would be an election in 4 1/2 years and she did not think he would have the opportunity beforehand anyway.