A leading left-wing trade unionist has urged the Labour Party to reconsider entering into a voting pact with Fine Gael before the next general election after its poor performance in last weekend's by-elections.
The Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (ATGWU) which is an affiliated member of the Labour Party, said support had suffered because of the deal in the Meath and Kildare North polls.
Cllr Paddy McNamara fell short by 3.6 per cent of the General Election 2002 vote in Kildare North despite being the largest opposition party in the constituency after last June's local elections.
However first-time candidate Cllr Dominic Hanigan increased party support by 6.94 per cent in Meath.
ATGWU regional secretary Michael O' Reilly said: "The results for the Labour Party are disappointing. They ended up in fourth place in both constituencies.
"In Kildare North they were the biggest opposition party at the last election and were expected to take the seat. Labour not only failed to take the seat, they were reduced to an also-ran."
Mr O' Reilly insisted the pact will do more to help Fine Gael than it will assist Labour.
"Fine Gael officials are openly stating that in the next general election they will gain over 20 seats from the pact, while Labour will pick up less than five seats," he said.
"This is not a pact between equals. It is just a way for Fine Gael to garner more transfers and seats. Labour is not served by such an arrangement."
"The Labour leadership should reconsider this strategy and, instead, promote the Labour Party and its candidates."