The Agriculture Minister has defended his comments suggesting he would have no problem with a Fine Gael - Fianna Fáil coalition.

Labour's Kathleen Lynch yesterday hit out at Simon Coveney's remarks as being "disloyal" to her party.

However, Minister Coveney says Minister Lynch's response was a 'shame'.

And he says the controversy doesn't accurately reflect his comments.

Yesterday, Ms Lynch criticised Fine Gael, and Minister Simon Coveney in particular, for talking about a possible coalition with Fianna Fáil after the next election.

Ms Lynch has accused the Minister for Agriculture of being 'disloyal' for suggesting Fine Gael could enter into partnership with Fianna Fáil following the next general election. 

"We've stood by Fine Gael. It's a bit disloyal now at a certain level to be making that kind of remark. But then again, Simon is involved in two battles. One with Leo Varadkar, and one with the electorate", she told Newstalk's Lunchtime.