Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour leader Pat Rabbitte will today move to convince the electorate they offer a real alternative to the current Government by launching a joint "alliance for change".
The two leaders will unveil the alliance at a press conference in Dublin this morning which will also be attended by deputy party leaders Richard Bruton and Liz McManus.
A source told The Irish Times last night that the leaders will be emphasising the joint documents they have launched in recent months, in particular their economic, health and policing documents.
The two parties have launched several joint policy documents since striking a pre-election pact in Mullingar in 2005.
"We will be reiterating to people that the two parties are a viable alternative to the current Government and represent a real option for change," said the source.
The parties will also be emphasising its vote transfer pact.
Although both parties have published key joint policies, they have also introduced individual policies in recent months and are publishing separate manifestos.
The Labour Party yesterday published its election manifesto while Fine Gael will publish its manifesto next week.
Two weeks ago the parties published an agreed economic policy in which it pledged to abolish stamp duty for first-time buyers on houses valued at up to €450,000.
The party has also agreed a number of income tax measures, including a cut in the standard rate of tax from 20 per cent to 18 per cent, and an increase in the credit for home carers to the level of the PAYE credit.
The joint community policing document promises proper and comprehensive training of Garda recruits and ongoing training of existing gardaí. It also promises streamlining Garda management.