A Fianna Fáil TD has opened the door to a four-way coalition involving Labour, the Social Democrats and Renua.

The suggestion comes from Sean Fleming, who says Fianna Fáil has worked well with Labour in the past.

The two parties have only shared power once, after an inconclusive election result in 1992.

However, Deputy Fleming says it is natural to examine Labour as an option if Fianna Fáil can form a government.

He said: "The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party front bench have been clear. We have said we will not go into government with Fine Gael or with Sinn Féin.

"Being practical, who else are we talking about? I've just said those (Labour, the Social Democrats and Renua) as a possiblility.

"We have been in government successfully with Labour in the past."