Union leader Ivana Bacik said on Friday that it was “unlikely” that her party would enter government, but added that she would not give up negotiations with Good Gael And Fianna Fail yet – which surprised some party members who expected her to announce her withdrawal.

After a meeting of Labor Party At a press conference at Leinster House at lunchtime, Ms Bacik told reporters that Labor would write to Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to arrange further meetings to discuss the possibility of Labor begin formal negotiations.

But she immediately said Labor was unlikely to enter government due to political differences and Dáil figures which – with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil together two seats from the majority – would give Labor influence. limited in negotiations and within government.

She said it was “difficult to see” how Labor could have “sufficient leverage to implement our radical program of change”.

“There is a very strong view across all sections of the Labor Party that it is difficult to imagine how we could get into government given the lack of leverage, the lack of capacity and influence that we would have,” she declared.

Ms Bacik denied the decision to seek further negotiations was purely a matter of optics, as Labor did not want to be the first party to walk away from coalition talks.

Union sources later acknowledged the widespread view within the party leadership that he would not enter government, but said they had to let the process “play out” for some time yet.

Ms Bacik said a recent article in the Irish Independent – citing an internal party report about a meeting in which she said she would engage in discussions about government but did not not intend to make a deal – “did not accurately reflect reflect what I said in the meeting.”

She said Labor would launch a hunt for the leaker. When asked what the consequences would be for the leaker, she replied: “Well, clearly expulsion from the party” – although she later clarified that any investigation would be carried out in accordance with due process and that expulsion was only one option for an independent process.

Tipperary TD Alan Kelly – seen as one of the few voices in the party seriously considering entering government, and who spoke at Friday’s meeting – will join Ms Bacik and Dublin Central TD Marie Sherlock in the team to meet Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael next week.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris said that Hutch Gérard “The Monk”is close to success lately general election gives food for thought about the “disaffection” that certain cohorts of society feel towards the political system

Speaking to reporters at Templemore in Co Tipperary, Mr Harris said it was “a good thing” that Hutch was ultimately not elected.

“I think we need to think about the disaffection that sometimes people can feel toward the political system and sometimes that communities can feel, in particular, toward the political system,” he said.

Mr Harris called the level of media attention Hutch received during the campaign “incredible”, suggesting he received more media coverage than some party leaders.

Speaking about the possibility of entering government with the Regional Group of Independents, Mr Harris said securing a whipped majority was “absolutely essential” in any multi-party government coalition, including one involving independent TDs.

A function where leaders of coalition parties or groupings can meet to discuss policy issues and secure majority support in government is necessary for the “smooth functioning” of a coalition government, said Mr. Harris.