Labour has definitively ruled out going back into government with Fine Gael.

After a meeting in Leinster House, the parliamentary party yesterday reiterated the view it had not received a mandate to enter government.

The announcement followed days of speculation that it might consider returning to government with Fine Gael in a minority administration.

Parliamentary party chairman Willie Penrose said voters had given a mandate to particular parties to form a government and, eight weeks on from the election, it was now incumbent on them to do so.

Prod history

“It is the view of the parliamentary Labour Party that we did not get such a mandate,” he said, adding that Labour was a centre-left party with a proud history of being prepared to serve in government.

“We are a party of action, not words, and pontificating and proselytising from the safety of the opposition benches is not what we are about. In that way we are different from many other parties.

“However, it is clear that on this occasion the offering we made to the electorate to form part of a stable administration was rejected,” he said.

Mr Penrose said those who did receive a mandate must honour their responsibilities to the electorate.

Fourth vote

The party will meet again before the Dáil votes for the fourth time next week on the election of taoiseach.

While Labour abstained in the second and third votes some members favour voting for Enda Kenny next time to ensure a minority government can be put in place.

A decision on that issue will not be made until next week.

During yesterday’s meeting Cork East TD Seán Sherlock asked Tánaiste Joan Burton to clarify her intentions about the leadership of the party.

She is understood to have told the meeting she would reveal her plans after a government was formed, and did not want to discuss it at the parliamentary party in case what she said was leaked.