THE SDLP's relationship with Fianna Fáil will be a "partnership" rather than a merger, party sources have told The Irish News.
With the two parties expected to formalise ties in the coming weeks, it has been stressed that the SDLP "will not be swallowed up" by its larger southern counterpart.
It has also been confirmed that the SDLP will contest May's local government elections, while Fianna Fáil sources have indicated that it is unlikely to field candidates against its new political partner.
The party sources' move to quell talk of a Fianna Fáil takeover of the SDLP comes in the aftermath of reports last weekend in The Irish Times in which senior figures in both parties pointed to a phased process of integration.
There was also concern voiced about comments from South Belfast MLA Claire Hanna – an opponent of greater ties between the two parties – who told The Irish News that many SDLP members were "opposed to the concept of this merger".
Two SDLP sources, who are well-informed about ongoing discussions between the two parties, insisted there was no predetermined outcome to the current process.
"Talk of a merger is way off the mark," one source said, before adding that there was "no prospect" of the SDLP not running in May's council elections.
A separate SDLP source said a forthcoming joint announcement would mark the beginning of "phase one of a partnership" between Colum Eastwood and Micheál Martin's parties.
"There will certainly not be merger in the immediate future," the source said.
"This will be one movement, involving two parties and an unprecedented level of co-operation."
In an email providing an updates on the discussions with Fianna Fáil, Mr Eastwood and his deputy Nichola Mallon urged members to "stretch themselves beyond their comfort zone".
"Our discussions have been based on how best to meet the challenges of Brexit, how best to restore the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and how best to ensure that our values of reconciliation and the unity of our people can once again enter into the lifeblood of our politics," the message read.
"These talks have been discussed, sanctioned and supported by our MLA team, our councillors' association and at our management committee."
