Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny today rubbished speculation the party was ready to agree a pact with Sinn Féin to oust the government.
The Opposition leader insisted there were no plans for a deal despite remarks from a top Fine Gael strategist that they would work with Gerry Adams.
Mr Kenny said he would speak with his national director of elections, Frank Flannery, about the comments reported in today's
Irish Mail on Sundaynewspaper.
"I made it perfectly clear that Fine Gael would not be doing business with Sinn Fein and I have no intention of revisiting that," said Mr Kenny.
But Fianna Fail claimed Mr Flannery¿s remarks should be taken seriously.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said it was "stomach-churning" that the self-styled law and order party Fine Gael would consider entering a coalition with Sinn Féin.
"Frank Flannery isn't some unimportant official," he said.
"He is the architect and conductor of all Fine Gael strategy under Enda Kenny.
"He never says anything in public which hasn't been prepared well in advance as part of a clear blueprint."
Mr Flannery is quoted as saying Sinn Féin had moved fully into the mainstream and that Fine Gael was willing to work with them.
But the close advisor to Mr Kenny also said there were outstanding issues like "their private army" and a resistance by some candidates to condemn the murder of Garda Jerry McCabe.
Mr Kenny said the remarks were a personal opinion that had nothing to do with Fine Gael policy.
While he highlighted the International Monitoring Committee's verdict that Sinn Féin have cast aside violence, the Fine Gael leader said a political deal was not on the table.
"They have an army council so I don't intend to revisit the issue," he said.
Mr Adams said Mr Kenny's and Mr Ahern's comments were "completely irrelevant".
"People want to see a general election and they believe that June 5th can build momentum towards making that happen," he said.
Mr Adams claimed there will be strong transfers among the anti-governmentparties and independents at next week's European, local and by-election polls.
PA
