First shots in battle of the coalitions

THE first concrete steps to provide an alternative coalition in the next general election sparked a combative response from the Government parties yesterday.

Yet striving to maintain peace in his own party before the upcoming reshuffle, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told Fianna Fail TDs and Senators that he may create a third tier of Ministers.

FF and the Progressive Democrats scoffed at the announcement that Fine Gael and Labour are to form a formal coalition to challenge for Government in the next election.