A senior member of Fianna Fáil is ruling out a second general election this year.

Brendan Smith says neither the party nor the electorate wants to go to the polls again - despite political commentary suggesting we may be faced with a second vote.

Behind the scenes negotiations are continuing with both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael attempting to shore up enough support to cobble together a coalition.

Deputy Smith, who is addressing the SDLP conference today, says the country needs a stable Government and not another election: