Eamon Gilmore says that Sinn Fein has a "long way to go" before being considered as a potential partner in Government.

The Labour leader was responding to a suggestion made by Gerry Adams at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in Wexford, where he spoke of a future coalition between the country's left wing parties.

While the Tanaiste didn't rule out the possibility - he was critical of Sinn Fein's economic policies.

“I think Sinn Fein has a long way to go before anybody can consider them to be part of a government. I think in particular their economic policies – if you can call them polices at all – are a bit of a fairytale,” Gilmore said.

The Tanaiste also said he believed there are legacy issues which must be addressed before Sinn Fein can position themselves as a government partner.

“I think there are some legacy issues that Sinn Fein have issues to address, such as, for example, what happened to Jean McConville and the Disappeared?” Gilmore added.