Some 5,000 delegates at the 70th Fianna Fáil Ardfheis have heard strong defence of the party's policies over the course of almost a decade in office, and Ministers said there is "no alternative" to re-electing the party to govern next year.
Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern
Party members are gathering at Citywest in Dublin today for the Ardfheis, for which the theme is A Fairer, Stronger Ireland.
A wide range of issues will be debated, including Government policy on health and taxation. Delegates have been told by the Taoiseach and party leader Bertie Ahern that they must now begin canvassing every community in the State in a bid to win a third term in office for the party at next year's general election.
Motions on the agenda include calls for a reduction in VAT rates on everyday essential items and an increase in tax bands in line with inflation.
Many of the motions congratulate Ministers for their policy initiatives, but they also face criticism on issues such as energy price rises and rural housing.
No major policy announcements are expected during the event, which Opposition parties have criticised as a publicity stunt to consolidate recent opinion poll successes.
Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern will address delegates in a televised speech at 8.30pm.
The Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen defended the Government's low tax policy and said thousands of people had been taken out of the tax net since Fianna Fáil came into Government in 1997.
Mr Cowen said the Government would keep taxes low so that people who worked hard could retain their earnings.
"The Irish economy is strong today and our social services are better resourced than ever because we followed the right budget policies, policies characterised by budgetary balance and low taxes. Let nobody be in any doubt," he said.
"A reversal of this policy, whether brought about by higher taxation or irresponsible borrowing, will ultimately reduce the amount of resources available for health, education, justice and social welfare."
Delegates at the Citywest complex in west Dublin also heard a debate on education this morning, during which they were addressed by Minister for Education Mary Hanafin.
In his message in the Ardfheis programme, Mr Ahern said the event comes at a time of "historic challenge for our party ond of historic opportunity for our country".
"At the end of a decade of unprecedented achievement, the Irish people now look ahead to the possibility of lasting peace and prosperity. The key to the progress of the last decade has been our partnership with the people and, at the heart of Ireland's success, lies the hard work of Irish people themselves," Mr Ahern wrote.
He said Fianna Fáil's challenge is to move with changing times and to adapt new strategies to old values.
"Over the coming weeks, through our work with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland, we will seek to com-plete the process set out in the Good Friday Agreement and at St Andrews.
"In a single decade we have come close to bringing closure to sectarian strife that has endured for a lifetime. Ending violence and building fair and strong political institutions herald a new beginning and is not just an end in themselves. For Fianna Fáil, our aim is to create an island where real opportunity is a reality for every community."
Mr Ahern also highlighted other policy initiatives, such as Transport 21. He said the National Development Plan 2007-2013 will provide the framework and the resources "to build the economic and community infrastructure needed to protect our prosperity and achieve the fairer, stronger Ireland the people are working so hard for".
The Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader told delegates in his message that their task as political activists is to leave the Ardfheis with a "renewed sense of purpose".
"Over the weeks and months ahead, our job is to work for and with our candidates to persuade the Irish people of our cause."
Referring to the forthcoming 2007 general election, in which Fianna Fáil will seek to win a historic third successive term in office, Mr Ahern told delegates "every single Irish person must be met and persuaded".
"We have to canvass in every community and on every doorstep. The coming election is much more than a political contest. It is about a fundamental choice for Ireland's future."
A total of 94 candidates have been selected for the party so far, of which 20 per cent are in their 30s.
Fianna Fáil claims its Ógra youth wing also increased its membership by over 70 per cent to 4,500 during 2006.
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has said it is a major disappointment to her that more women are not among her party's Dail hopefuls.
Fianna Fáil has a long term strategy to attract more women into the party beginning with the 2009 local elections.
Additional reporting: PA