Opposition: No invite to all-party talks received

Labour and Fine Gael are expressing confusion about the plans for an all-party approach to sorting out Ireland's finances.

Green Party leader John Gormley, who floated the idea of a 'national unity' approach to drawing up a four-year budgetary plan, has said he expects party leaders will shortly gather to consider the issue.

However a spokesperson for Fine Gael said no invitation any such meeting has been received, and the Government's approach to the plan seems confused.

Meanwhile the Labour Party has said that it is unaware whether the initiative has come from the Government, or from the Green Party alone.

Labour also maintains that there has been no communications between it and the junior coalition partner on the issue.

Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John McGuinness said an all-party approach is needed in order to avoid a general election.

"We need radical solutions," Deputy McGuinness said.

"If political consensus can be found, if a government can be established - then so be it.

"We are then able to get into the period of saving the country immediately and without a general election."