There will be "no change in the fundamentals" concerning the Fianna Fail position on the North, Mr Brian Cowen said yesterday. He was speaking in the context of securing the votes of Independent TDs and possibly Sinn Fein's TD Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain, to elect Mr Ahern as Taoiseach.
Mr Cowen also said his party would not enter negotiations with Labour on forming a government. There had been an arrangement with the PDs and that would proceed, he said.