The two parties met for talks over breakfast at the Carrickdale Hotel, Dundalk, on Friday.

They were ostensibly there to discuss cross-border economics, but at a time when both parties are conducting internal surveys about their future in Northern Ireland the event had the look of sizing each other up.

There is also talk of a joint candidate in next year's European elections in Ulster.

Coy

But Fianna Fail's Bertie Ahern and SDLP leader Mark Durkan tip-toed around questions about a happy future together, insisting their consultations on political realignment must take their course.

Mr Ahern said: "I think both of us want to see the politics of this island move on.

"We have worked through thick and thin, through some very difficult days, but we worked together and I very much appreciate it."

Fresh era

Mr Durkan said the political landscape was changing across Ireland.

"Parties have choices to create and choices to make," he said.

"Just as we did in the Agreement, we will take care in the choices and the opportunities we create and then people, at a time in the future, will be able to make the best choices and the best decisions on how we take politics forward in the new political space which has been created through the Agreement."