Joan Burton says she fully expects Labour to be returned to government after the next election.

The Tánaiste says Labour should begin preparing for a second term in government now, because she's convinced Labour will be in government.

She's made the comments at a meeting of Labour's policy forum in Dublin this evening.

She told members she doesn't want to seem over-confident, but she "absolutely believes" the public will give Labour a second term when they assess its record in government.