Negotiations are due to get under way this week on the formation of a coalition Government in the aftermath of the General Election.
Independent TD Finian McGrath has said he believes Fianna Fáil is considering approaching the Labour Party to form a coalition.
The Dublin North Central representative is one of five Independent TDs widely believed to be the subject of approaches from Fianna Fáil to help support a coalition Government involving the remaining PDs and Independents.
But Mr McGrath, along with fellow Independents Tony Gregory and Jackie Healy Rae, have confirmed that they have had approaches from Fine Gael and Labour, and not from Fianna Fáil as yet.
In an RTÉ radio interview this morning, Deputy McGrath said his political instinct was that Fianna Fáil could use approaches to Independent TDs as a smokescreen, while negotiating with the Labour Party behind the scenes.
Mr Gregory has also raised the prospect of one of the five Independent deputies being offered a seat at the cabinet table.
Bertie Ahern is in pole position to return as Taoiseach for a third consecutive term - the first man since Eamon de Valera to do so.
On Saturday, Mr Ahern said his first preference was to form a new coalition with the PDs and like-minded Independents - although given their depleted ranks the numbers are very tight.
He could seek a coalition deal with the Greens, which would be stronger numerically, but might require more policy change.
There is the outside bet of a deal with Labour, but the cost in terms of seats at the cabinet table would be higher.
