The Labour Party has declined to comment on the debate within Democratic Left on the party's future, saying it is a matter for that party to discuss. At a Labour parliamentary party meeting yesterday the leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, noted the report in The Irish Times on the internal Democratic Left debate.

But there was no discussion on the matter and the party resolved not to comment on it.

Yesterday's report revealed that Democratic Left had called a series of party meetings throughout the State to discuss its future.

One option raised is the possibility of a merger with Labour. But a majority of members is believed to favour the party's continued existence as an independent force.

A Labour Party spokesman said yesterday this was a matter for Democratic Left.

While most Labour figures are believed to favour such a move it is understood the party believes any intervention by it in the debate would not be helpful.

A Democratic Left spokesman declined to comment on the detail of the report but referred to the motion passed at a party executive meeting on April 4th.

This initiated a series of party meetings to discuss the possible development of Irish political and economic life, the politics of Democratic Left and the future role of the left in Ireland.

While there was no mention of the prospect of a merger with Labour in the motion, the Democratic Left deputy, Mr Pat Rabbitte, indicated on RTE Radio's Morning Ireland programme yesterday that no option was excluded.

In the context of a review of the Irish left, he said, it would be impossible not to refer to the largest party on the left, which was Labour.