The Green Party could play a role in a coalition government, the Cork councillor and party's spokesman on economic and social affairs, Mr Dan Boyle, said.
"Should we be called upon to participate in a government, it is a role I believe we can play in a socially responsible way.
"Ours is a party that seeks to introduce a basic income scheme on a phased basis as a reform of the tax and social welfare system. Ours is a party that seeks to link social welfare and pension payments to 50 per cent of average household incomes.
"Ours is the only party to call for the introduction of tax on international currency speculation. We do not lack the political courage to state that additional monies have to be collected through taxation, not on earnings but on how money is spent.
"Ours is a party of social justice. We should not be afraid, in a climate where most other Irish political parties seek, by their actions, to represent only the prosperous vested interests in our society, to claim to be the party of social justice."
The Dublin councillor and leadership contestant, Mr Paul Gogarty, said people were weary of talk about the Celtic Tiger and unbridled economic growth had made them weary.
"They have no faith in their politicians. Daily reports from the Flood and Moriarty tribunals seem to have tarred everybody with the same brush. The result is a weary resignation."
The weariness was turning into anger in some cases, he added. "It is not just a case of politicians on the make. Something more fundamental to our society has changed. We no longer have that glorious sense of community that we once had.
"Yes, we have left the valley of the squinting windows behind. Yes, we have become more open, more confident, more cosmopolitan. Yes, we have a young, highly-skilled workforce.
"But it seems we may have thrown the baby out with the bathwater."
