Labour and Democratic Left have agreed to set up a joint study group to examine policy issues confronting parties of the Left at national and European level.
The decision followed the first formal meeting between the two party leaders, Mr Ruairi Quinn and Mr Proinsias de Rossa, in Leinster House yesterday. A merger between the two parties was not discussed.
A joint statement, issued after the meeting, said it was agreed that while Labour and DL had distinctive roles to play as independent parties, both would seek to develop further the good level of co-operation that already existed.