The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, has said he would be opposed to Fianna Fáil forming a coalition government with Sinn Féin after the general election.
Speaking at the end of an official visit to Beijing, he said he agrees with the Taoiseach that Sinn Féin "has still not gone far enough" on the peace process to allow it go into government with his party.
"The Taoiseach has made it clear we are not at that position. What is important to recognise is that we have to see more progress in the peace process. Sinn Féin has a very important role to play in all of that, as have all the parties. We have seen significant and historic progress before Christmas and we want to see this continue."
Mr Cowen also said Sinn Féin's and Fianna Fáil's economic policies were not compatible.
"It's not a numbers game totally. It is also a question of synergy and policy positions. Sinn Féin policies are not in line with ours, for a start their economic policies."
He said the PDs remained his party's clear post-election preference for another coalition.
"The Government is coming to a very successful conclusion and has worked very well. We have proven we can work together. In the event of Fianna Fáil not getting an overall majority, the PDs are our clear preference."
He revealed that the Chinese authorities expressed an interest during his visit in bidding for the multibillion-euro metro rail project in Dublin.
He told his Chinese counterpart, Mr Tang, that such a bid would be welcome and that Ireland wanted to get the most competitive tender possible.
Mr Cowen yesterday hosted a summit of Irish-Asia ambassadors to review the Asia strategy put in place after the Taoiseach's visit to China in 1998. He said there were huge opportunities in China and Asia for growing numbers of small- and medium-sized enterprises in Ireland.