The shape of the next government is likely to be influenced by a debate to take place in Dublin today. The Labour Party's general council is holding a meeting at which the main item on the agenda is electoral strategy.
However, senior party sources were insisting last night there would be no announcements about whom the party would be prepared to form a coalition with after the next general election. The meeting in Liberty Hall begins at 11 a.m.
There are about 80 people on the general council. They are being asked by party leader Mr Ruairi Quinn to talk about their feelings on what the party should be doing and saying in advance of a general election and whether or not to tell the electorate about its coalition intentions before polling day.