Sinn Féin may be in a position after the next general election to determine who will form the next Government, chief negotiator Martin McGuinness claimed today.
The next Dáil election is expected to be held next year.
On the eve of Sinn Féin's three-day ardfheis in Dublin, Mr McGuinness predicted wide gains for his party.
"Pundits are saying Sinn Féin is going to double its representation in the Dáil and if that's the case, then that could conceivably cast the party in the role of kingmaker," he said.
"However we shouldn't get carried away. I travel the length and breadth of this island for selection conventions and party functions, and what I say to members at all these events is, our job is first and foremost to get our people elected."
Mr McGuinness said if an approach was made to his party about giving its support to the next government, Sinn Féin would hold a special conference and consult its grassroots before making any decision.
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Labour Party and the Progressive Democrats have all told Sinn Féin at various times in the past year that it was not acceptable as a partner in government.
