Fine Gael reaction:The PDs were derided yesterday by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny as a party without "principles or backbone" after Michael McDowell said his party would not withdraw from Government.
"The PDs in my view are absolutely redundant," Mr Kenny said on Mayo local radio. "They have no backbone anymore, they have no principles. What you have seen today is like Lanigan's Ball, stepping in and then stepping out again."
Claiming the PDs would be "entirely redundant" in the formation of the new Government, Mr Kenny said his preference was to form a Government with Labour. He would prefer an alliance with the Greens to one with the PDs.
On the same programme, Mayo Independent TD Beverley Flynn said the issue of her €1 million-plus court costs following her failed libel action against RTÉ would be resolved but she would not say when. "It is a private matter for me to resolve on my own. It is not my intention to be made bankrupt."