DEMOCRATIC Left is expected to endorse strongly a preelection voting pact with its Government partners at the party's annual delegate conference in Dun Laoghaire, which opens tonight.
The conference, which concludes tomorrow night with an address from the party leader, Mr De Rossa, is expected to agree that the party seeks re election on "a broad set of proposals with Fine Gael and Labour in the run up to the election".
A number of motions warmly support the party's involvement in the Coalition. However, there are calls for it to declare that "a core requirement" for participation in the next government must be a programme to tackle long term unemployment.
Mr De Rossa is expected to launch an attack on the prospect of a Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrats government. He will also promise greater targeting of the marginalised and unemployment in government policies.
Senator Joe Sherlock, a former TD who is seeking reelection to the Dail, will give the traditional "warmup" speech. The abolition of the water charges last December has defused any likely controversy. Tomorrow the conference will pass a motion commending the Government decision and congratulating Mr De Rossa and the party for "the major part they played in bringing an end to this inequitable double tax".
A motion tabled by the Wexford branch calls on the leadership to attempt to secure government initiatives which would lead to a minimum wage.
Other branches express concern at the persistence of long term unemployment, claiming that the situation will not "sufficiently improve" if left to market forces and that substantial State intervention is necessary. They also urge continuing improvements in child benefit.
A range of motions congratulates Mr De Rossa for changes implemented under his ministry.