Niall O'Dowd: Who's afraid of Sinn Fein?

Fine Gael is embroiled in a row in Ireland over whether or not it would form a partnership with Sinn Fein.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny (FG-Mayo) said his party has no intention of such a partnership after a British newspaper quoted Fine Gael's Director of Elections Frank Flannery saying his party would indeed consider such an arrangement to form a government.

Justice Minster Dermot Ahern (FF-Louth) said he found it "stomach-churning" that Fine Gael would consider such a move.

Meanwhile, a new poll in Ireland show an even bigger drop in support for Fianna Fail.

The Red C poll shows the party down three points to 21 percent - half the support it boasted in the run-up to the 2007 general election. Fine Gael is some distance ahead with34 percent while Labor has 18 percent.

Sinn Fein is up three points at 10 per cent with Independents and others at 10%. The Greens are also on a slide with just 4 percent of the poll.

Voters go to the polls Friday for the European elections, local elections, and two by-elections - in Dublin Central and Dublin South.

Voters are expected to use the occasion to show their lack of support for the Irish Government.