FF rules out coalition with Sinn Féin

Fianna Fáil has dismissed claims by Gerry Adams that Sinn Féin will be in power in the Republic following the election.

Speaking in Dublin today, the Sinn Féin leader said his party could be kingmakers in the forming of a new government.

He said he believes that Bertie Ahern is leaving the door open for a coalition between the two parties.

Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has insisted that Fianna Fáil will not change their position, however.

"Fianna Fáil will not be going into coalition with Sinn Fein - the Taoiseach quite firmly ruled it out at the launch of our manifesto," she said.

"What is happening [in the North] at the moment is very exciting, but is a very different situation, a very different background and a very different system. So we will not be entering into coalition with them."