The former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern says he sees Fianna Fáil in opposition after the next election.
Mr Ahern says he does not believe his former party will enter into a coalition with either Sinn Féin or Fine Gael.
He says Fianna Fáil is viewing the next election, and future elections, as a chance to build up support.
And he does not relish the idea of a return to multi-party coalition governments.
"I see Fianna Fáil in opposition after the next election...of course you could have such a mish-mash that God knows what would happen" he told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk.
"But I'm not hoping for that".
"I was party whip in those famous three governments of '81, '82 - and they're not good for your health" he added.
This was his reply when asked if Fianna Fáil would enter a government with Sinn Féin:
