A spokesperson for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has described as "not appropriate" comments made by a junior minister that he had no difficulty with Sinn Féin being part of Government.
In an interview with Hot Press magazine, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly said he had no objections on principle to Sinn Féin entering Government.
"I have no ideological objection to Sinn Fein being part of a Government.
"I just think, on a policy platform, it would be very difficult to agree a Programme for Government between Fine Gael and Sinn Féin, but look, politics is the art of doing - and who knows?"
Minister Daly also said the will of the people has to be respected and Sinn Féin's mandate is as legitimate as any other party.
This evening, a spokesman for the Taoiseach said: "Minister Daly is doing an excellent job as Minister for Mental Health and Older People and the Taoiseach has full confidence in his abilities as a minister in these areas.
"However he does not speak for the Government on potential future coalition."
Mícheál Lehane: Jim Daly's comments land him in trouble again
