SF favours backing FF government above coalition

Sinn Féin would reportedly prefer to support a minority Fianna Fáil government to forming a coalition.

The party's chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said such a move would allow Sinn Féin to influence policy without losing trust in the electorate.

It followed remarks by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern signalling that Fianna Fáil is willing to form a coalition government with Sinn Féin

However, it has also been reported that two Fianna Fáil TDs are threatening to resign from the party if it makes such a move.