The Labour Party leader has categorically ruled out any Fianna Fáil/Labour coalition after the next General Election.
Eamon Gilmore was speaking in Galway during a campaign tour for the European and local elections.
He said he was confident he could bring about a Labour-led Government and he called for a consolidation of the Labour vote.
Mr Gilmore stressed that the Labour Party was different from both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, but he did not rule out entering into a Programme of Government with Fine Gael in the future.
Mr Gilmore said he would be pragmatic about such a partnership, but added that a number of issues would first have to be resolved.
He cited the stand taken by Labour on the banks as an example.
Mr Gilmore said Labour was the only party to stand by the taxpayer and oppose what he called the blanket unconditional guarantee for the banks.
He described this as one the worst economic decisions ever taken.
