One of the candidates for the Labour leadership is refusing to state publicly if he believes the Garda Commissioner was fired.

In a letter to party members, Alex White said that as leader he 'would not stand over a position where the Taoiseach looks to fire' the Garda Commissioner without calling the Labour leader.

He also said Labour would not stay in the coalition 'at any cost'.

Despite questions from reporters to state if he believed the former Commissioner was sacked by Enda Kenny, this morning Alex White refused to do so.

Meanwhile, Labour's chief whip says he would have difficulties entering government with Sinn Fein.

Junior Minister Alex White has previously said he would entertain the idea.

But Emmet Stagg has given his backing to Joan Burton who has ruled out the idea of entering into coalition with Sinn Fein.

And speaking to KFM he says he would not be comfortable with the idea either.