Deep opposition to a merger between Labour and Democratic Left is emerging as a two-day special Labour parliamentary party meeting gets under way in Co Tipperary.
The purpose of the event tonight and tomorrow at the Shannonside resort of Dromineer is to provide members of the Parliamentary Labour Party with "an extended opportunity" to discuss economic and social issues in the run-up to the autumn Oireachtas term, which opens on September 30th.
However, though the issue is not on the agenda, discussions covering the core values of the party tomorrow are expected to see the prospect of a close alliance with Democratic Left being discussed. Labour's General Council will next week hear recommendations that the possibility be further explored.
However, unease exists among a number of present and former Labour TDs about a merger, with sources stating that any insistence on such a development would lead to a split in the party. "There is great unhappiness about this in the party. Frankly, it is not on. It has the potential to blow the party asunder and must be stopped before it is too late. About six or seven members of the parliamentary party oppose it outright," one source said.
The prospect of a merger would, another source added, have serious implications for Labour in Dublin North West, Dublin South West, Dublin South Central, Wicklow, Cork East and Cork North Central.
In Dublin North West, for example, the Democratic Left leader, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, holds a seat alongside Ms Roisin Shortall of Labour. The constituency is now a three-seater, making it practically impossible for both Ms Shortall and Mr De Rossa to be returned to the Dail in the next election.
Difficulties would also arise in Dun Laoghaire, Eamon Gilmore in the event of a merger. In Wicklow, Ms Liz McManus of Democratic Left would be seeking re-election alongside Labour's veteran figure Mr Liam Kavanagh.with a clash between Labour's Ms Niamh Bhreathnach and DL's Mr Eamon Gilmore, and in Wicklow, with both Ms Liz McManus of DL and Mr Liam Kavanagh of Labour running.
It is understood that the deputies who most strongly supported Mr Quinn's candidacy for the leadership are opposed to the prospect of a closer alliance with Democratic Left. A merger would involve "throwing a lifeline to Democratic Left", one source said, while leading to the political demise of Labour TDs. The idea had "come out of thin air" and had not been discussed in enough detail.