Sinn Féin will not back minority government

Sinn Féin will not be prepared to offer support to a minority government after the next general election but will instead seek places at the cabinet table, or else stay in Opposition, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, the party's leader in the Dáil, has indicated.

"Sinn Féin will either be in a position of effective opposition, as we have been doing not just over the last five years here, but ten years here. If we were to look at anything else it would have to be in terms of direct involvement in government, through a prior negotiation on a programme for government.

"I believe that that would be the only option that we would be likely to consider, and that can only be in the context of what any other party is prepared to do to accept the policy objectives that we believe are most important to the Irish people," Mr Ó Caoláin said.

Responding to questions, Mr Ó Caoláin, the party's TD for Cavan-Monaghan, said: "I am not ruling out anything. I am indicating very clearly how we see best implementing our objectives."

Sinn Féin support for a minority Fianna Fáil administration led by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is one of the possible permutations that could emerge from the election campaign, which is now expected to be called next week.

Questioned about the arrest for alleged drink-driving of Kerry North TD Martin Ferris near his Ardfert, Co Kerry home last week, Mr Ó Caoláin said Mr Ferris is still awaiting the result of blood samples taken from him at a Garda station.

However, Mr Ferris was noticeably absent from the party's delegation at the press conference held on the plinth in Leinster House to promote the party's election objectives. All of the party's other TDs, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Seán Crowe and Arthur Morgan, were present.

"He is engaged in other work at this point in time and he will certainly be here with us again as the gates of Leinster House open after this general election," said Mr Ó Caoláin, when questioned by reporters.

Asked if the arrest would make it difficult to speak on a number of matters, including road safety, Mr Ó Caoláin said: "Our position has not changed, and will not change in that area. We believe that every citizen, irrespective of where they live, have a responsibility to ensure that where they are involved in drinking, they do not drive.

It's a bottom-line position, and we don't make any distinction between urban and rural society in that regard. It isn't acceptable." Though the party has been embarrassed by the arrest, there is little evidence to suggest that it believes it will threaten the north Kerry seat Mr Ferris won from Labour's Dick Spring five years ago.

The claim by Mr Ferris that he had two pints and a glass of wine in the seven hours before his arrest will not be tested by a court before polling day - if a prosecution is taken.