Labour leader Pat Rabbitte was unveiled as a surprise guest at a special two-day meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party in Sligo last night, as the alterative coalition put on a striking display of unity well in advance of the next election, writes Stephen Collins, Political Correspondent.
Arriving at the gathering in the Park Hotel in Sligo, Mr Rabbitte said he was there to demonstrate the seriousness of the project which the two parties had undertaken to present the people with an alternative government at the next election.
"Fine Gael and Labour have been down this road before and we have learned lessons from that. You need to know on day one of going into government what you are going to do. The important thing going into government is that a number of decisions have been taken about what one wants to see implemented," Mr Rabbitte said.
The Labour leader was greeted on arrival by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who expressed his delight that Mr Rabbitte was attending the gathering.
Earlier, Mr Kenny poured scorn on the appeal by the new Tánaiste, Michael McDowell, to Fine Gael supporters to switch to the Progressive Democrats at the next election, telling him he could "dream on" about the prospect.
"Fine Gael voters will not be voting to keep Fianna Fáil in power by supporting the PDs. The prospect of 15 years of Fianna Fáil in government is not something that my party's supporters will be able to stomach in any circumstances," Mr Kenny told a press conference.
Mr Kenny said his visits to every part of the country over the past year had convinced him that the momentum was now with Fine Gael and Labour.
"There is a palpable mood for change among the electorate and we are building on that."
He maintained that the Government had been paralysed by indecisiveness and this would be the reason for its downfall when the election came next year.
Later, addressing his party's TDs, senators and MEPs, Mr Kenny said that after 10 years of Fianna Fáil-PD Government the people wanted, needed and deserved a change, not just to a new government but a better government. He pledged that Fine Gael and Labour would provide that change.
"We'll provide the electorate with a clear and better alternative at the next election. Fine Gael and Labour will be the only prospective government to publish an agreed programme in critical areas before the election," he said.
Mr Kenny added that since the summer the two parties had been working together on three areas of outstanding public concern: health, crime and the economy.