Programme for government with Labour 'not a runner', says Social Democrats deputy leader

Speaking after the meeting, Labour leader Ivana Bacik said that the parties had identified areas for collaboration

(Left to right) Social Democrat TDs Jennifer Whitmore, Cian O'Callaghan and Gary Gannon outside Leinster House following their meeting with the Labour Party on Friday. Mr O'Callaghan said that his party had been "clear" throughout the election that the Social Democrats would run on their own merit. Photo: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

A combined Labour-Social Democrats platform to negotiate a programme for government looks unlikely after it was called "a non-runner" by the Social Democrats' deputy leader.

The two parties met on Friday, having what were described as positive discussions. However, the Social Democrats told Labour that its participation in government was contingent on its own red lines, not whoever else may be in government.