Harney: Govt is 'stable'

The Health Minister Mary Harney has laughed off speculation the Coalition could fall apart by Christmas.

Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore has put his party on an election footing with canvassing already underway.

He has also rubbished speculation his party would do a deal with Fianna Fáil if Brian Cowen steps down as Taoiseach.

But Minister Mary Harney said: "If we go back to 1997, there were predictions made that that coalition wouldn't last long.

"I think the Government is stable and firmly committed to running the full course."