Delegates at the Progressive Democrats party have this afternoon ruled out a pre-election pact with Fianna Fáil at its National Conference in Limerick.
The proposal, which was opposed by the party leadership, was overwhelmingly defeated in a vote.
The vote came after the party president Michael McDowell and the party chief whip Liz O'Donnell reminded delegates that in the past, pre-election pacts had damaged the party.
The Progressive Democrats' conference was urged by the party's Meath East election candidate Sirena Campbell to consider a pre-election pact with Fianna Fail to prevent incoherent government involving Fine Gael and Labour.
"The last (Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrat) government set a number of political records - the only minority coalition to last the full constitutional maximum term, the first government in 40 years to be re-elected," she said.
"Yes, some will say we will get buried in the election if we go into a pre-election pact but I believe that the voters now more than ever know what our party stands for. "They want us in government and delegates, about all, let's be honest.
"Let's tell the voters in advance. Let's put together a pre-election pact with Fianna Fail and let's continue giving stable government to this great country of ours."
But the Progressive Democrats' chief whip Liz O'Donnell said the current coalition had a proud record of achievement.
But while she said the Progressive Democrat and Fianna Fail partnership had been the most successful coalition in the history of the state, the Progressive Democrats should go to the electorate as an independent party and on the basis of its track record.
"At the end of the day, the people are sovereign," the Dublin South TD said. "It is their votes and the numbers which will decide the shape of the next government - not the theoretical preferences of any party.