Gilmore contacting Labour members after latest setback

Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore is understood to be making contact with the party's TDs and Senators in the wake of another exit from the Parliamentary Party.

Yesterday, Nessa Childers, MEP for Ireland East, announced her departure, saying the leadership was out of touch with grassroots members and its own ideals and principals.

Today, members of grassroots Labour are meeting in the Gresham Hotel to discuss Ms Childers' resignation, the disappointing Meath East by-election result and the collapse in Labour support in the polls.

"Labour has no mandate to introduce cuts in social welfare, has no mandate to introduce cuts in child benefit," said Labour campaigner Paul Dillion.

"What we would argue for is a return to Labour policies."