Tánaiste Joan Burton has said Labour has a responsibility to consider its role in the formation of a government.

But a letter from Ms Burton which was sent to every member of the party is an indication Ms Burton does not favour re-entering Government.

In the letter Ms Burton said the party met with acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Finance Michael Noonan in what she described as a listening exercise.

Ms Burton said the country needs a stable government, and the Labour Party has to “at least consider our role”.

She said: “And to be clear: any such decision on returning to government would be for the members to make at a special delegates’ conference.

“Since election weekend, however, I’ve made clear that other parties and groups, including the Independents as a bloc, got the mandate to govern – and it remains my view that they should step up to the plate. Most of the members I’ve been speaking to in recent days and weeks feel the same.”

FF, SF criticised

The Tánaiste criticised Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin for sitting on their hands and leaving the "country without a government".

She added: “Self-interest has trumped national interest.

"At the moment Fianna Fáil appear unwilling to participate in government, Sinn Féin are determined to be destructive in opposition, and Fine Gael have thus far failed to reach any agreement on a minority administration with the Independents.

“It was therefore unsurprising that Fine Gael turned to us in recent days.”

Ms Burton confirmed the party’s intention to build a progressive alliance with the Social Democrats and the Green Party.

She said this was her party’s preferred option and insisted nine in 10 members asked to give feedback have agreed on that position.

Ms Burton said the “current uncertainty” around government talks mean another election “cannot be ruled out”.

“Accordingly, our general secretary is making provision for that, and has been in touch with candidates in recent days. We will be ready should another election occur,” Ms Burton said.