The long run-in to the next general election continues this week week with Fine Gael and the Progressive Democrats holding parliamentary party meetings in Dublin and Portlaoise.
Fianna Fail's annual think-in at a Co Cavan hotel last week was overshadowed by the fall-out from the RTE TV's controversial Rip-off Republicprogramme.
The Government continues to drop more hints that December's Budget will pave the way for a multi-annual childcare plan and health, justice, the economy and the elderly will be on the agenda when junior coalition partners, the PDs meet in Dublin on Tuesday.
The PDs have deliberately chosen the Merrion Hotel, directly across the street from Government Buildings to hold their think-in.
"It's a practical, focus-driven meeting to show we're doing well in government and will be putting down definitive policy markers for the next 18 months," one party official said.
"Health Minister Mary Harney will restate her commitment to build a better health service and, in particular provide a better standard of living for the elderly."
The party's first selection convention for the next general election takes place in sitting TD, Fiona O'Malley's Dun Laoghaire constituency tomorrow night.
Transport spokesman, Senator Tom Morrissey will also have his work cut out for him in the months ahead after his switch from Dublin West to Dublin North.
Fine Gael is aiming to use its two-day session to target issues for the new Dail term and energise their constituencies ahead of the next general election.
Leader Enda Kenny will be buoyed by today's Sunday Business Post/Red C opinion poll that shows a Fine Gael-Labour coalition is now the clear preference of voters.
The new Health Service Executive chief executive Prof Brendan Drumm will be one of the invited speakers along with economist David McWilliams.
The two-day meeting will focus on key issues of health, crime and the economy.
The main Opposition party is satisfied that the Government is finally being blamed for the perceived rip-off culture in goods and services.
The party began its www.ripoff.ie website site in 2003 but it took the RTE programme to capture the public mood.
"Strategists are gratified that this whole rip-off issue began as a Fine Gael idea over two years ago and the Government is now finally taking heavy hits on it," a party source said.
The think-in will also review Fine Gael's antisocial behaviour campaign 'A Night in the Life'. The campaign has organised 50 public meetings around the country and detailed feedback has been collected on the www.SafeStreets.ie website.
There will also be a special pre-General Election focus on campaigning, communications and organisation.
The party has not ruled out further high-profile 'parachutes' like MEP Mairead McGuinness and O'Briens sandwich bars boss Brody Sweeney. A selection convention for Jim Mitchell's old seat in the Taoiseach's Dublin Central constituency takes place on Monday evening.
"We want competitive conventions and energised and motivated constituency machines," a party source said.
"The plan will be to build on our electoral success in the local and European elections and in the Meath by-election," a party spokesman added.
Potential coalition partners in an alternative government, Labour, holds its parliamentary party meeting in its birthplace, Clonmel next week.
PA