Gildea deal is out - Ahern

The Taoiseach said last night he would not negotiate a formal arrangement with the Independent Donegal TD, Mr Thomas Gildea, to support the Government. After the Government's defeat in the two by-elections, Mr Ahern said he had a loose arrangement to talk to Independents on issues. Things were a bit tight but he would make sure he was protected in his Dail position.

He was in "a formal enough arrangement" with three Independents: Ms Mildred Fox, Mr Harry Blaney and Mr Jackie Healy-Rae. "I am certainly not going to do anything to try to upset him [Mr Gildea]," he added. "But I am not going to get into a negotiated arrangement with him or any of the other Independents."

He had never spoken to Mr Michael Lowry when the Government was formed. He did not speak formally to Sinn Fein. He spoke to all the others "but I did have more discussions with Mr Gildea and Mr Tony Gregory than with the others".

Mr Ahern wanted to clarify that he would not hold an inquiry into Fianna Fail's defeat in Limerick East. The directors of elections would report to him and the party's national executive would discuss what had happened. "Whatever arises from that report, we will implement it," he added.