The Progressive Democrats have confirmed that they have had talks with their former member and now independent MEP Mr Pat Cox about the European Parliament elections.
It is understood that these talks were about the possibility of a deal in which the PDs would support Mr Cox's campaign to retain his Munster seat in exchange for his giving support to and making appearances with individual PD local authority candidates in Munster.
However, Mr Cox has rejected suggestions that any deal would involve his agreeing to nominate PD figures as his substitutes. Such a deal would mean that should Mr Cox resign his European seat for any reason during his five-year term, the PD substitute would automatically become the MEP.
Mr Cox and the PDs say no deal has been made on the campaign, but it is not clear whether further talks are to take place. Mr Cox said yesterday that while he and his organisation intended that he would contest the election as an Independent, "we are prepared to welcome like-minded unconditional support for our campaign".