SF angry at exclusion from consensus push

Sinn Féin has criticised the Government for excluding the party from talks on achieving all-party consensus on economic issues.

Independent TDs have also been excluded from the process.

Last night Brian Cowen asked Opposition leaders to meet him for talks. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has accepted, while Labour's Eamon Gilmore is expected to do likewise later.

In the Dáil this morning, Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín O'Caoláin reacted angrily to his party's lack of an invite.

"There is an opposition party here that have not been included in any engagement," Deputy O'Caoláin said.

"And it's not only Sinn Féin who have been excluded - Independent voices, you have a right to be heard."

He said Fine Gael and Labour were "complicit" in preventing SF and Independents from participating.