A Mayo Fine Gael TD, Mr Michael Ring, says he has declined an "attractive" offer to defect to the Labour Party. The approach was made to him by leading members of the party, including the party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn.
It is understood that Mr Ring was promised a ministerial position in the event of Labour forming a coalition with Fianna Fail.
A source close to Mr Ring confirmed he had "open and frank discussions" with the Labour Party representatives and was `'flattered" by the approach, but he said he was not interested in leaving Fine Gael.
