PROGRESSIVE Democrat sources have indicated they are "not at all disconcerted" by signals from the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, that he is prepared to go into government partnership with Labour.
A PD source last night responded: "We are not entering any pre electoral deal with anybody." There was no official response from the Progressive Democrats but the source said Mr Ahern's remarks should not worry them so far in advance of a general election.
The Fianna Fail front bench is next week expected to discuss the comments when the extent if any of anti Labour sentiment in senior party ranks will be made known. The former Minister for Justice, Ms Maire Geoghegan Quinn, has stated that a Labour Party led by Mr Dick Spring could create difficulties for the Fianna Fail leadership.
Labour TDs yesterday responded coolly to Mr Ahern's remarks. The Fianna Fail leader had said that while he thought an FF/PD alliance was the preferred choice now, it is not the only option". He was not ruling out a coalition with Labour, and in the past Fianna Fail had successfully worked in government with that party, as well as the Progressive Democrats.
But the chairman of the Labour party, Mr Jim Kemmy, said Fianna Fail was "desperate" to return to government and it might benefit democracy if it was out of power for another term.