The economy will be "in safe hands" if Fine Gael, the Labour Party and the Greens are elected into office after the next general election, according to the leader of Fine Gael.
Addressing 1,200 Fine Gael supporters at the party's first annual presidential dinner in Dublin last night, Mr Enda Kenny said: "The Irish people can have every confidence in our ability to manage and steer our vibrant economy.
"They can have every confidence that with us, the economy is in safe hands, not least because we know the difference between the economy and an electioneering fund," he added.
"This is your economy. You built it by your graft, your sweat. That is why every euro must be well spent. Every euro must be accounted for. Every euro must be put not just to good use, but to the best use. No more mindless waste."
Referring to the Greens as Fine Gael's "democratic partners", Mr Kenny said: "Tonight, we want business to know we would work closely with you in safeguarding and making the most of our strong economy."
The Fine Gael/Labour /Democratic Left Rainbow administration laid the foundations for the Celtic Tiger and became the first government in 25 years to report an Exchequer surplus by "keeping a close eye on the public finances".
It set corporation tax rates at 12.5 per cent "making Ireland the number one choice for US companies wanting to locate in Europe", it increased workers' tax allowances by 25 per cent and created 1,000 jobs a week.
"Tonight, we're celebrating. Fine Gael is on the up. The summer elections produced a new generation of Irish politicians. Bright new people, proud old values. Now, we move to the next level.
"We strike for government and, I'm proud to tell you, that with our democratic allies we are determined to provide Ireland with, not just an alternative government, but an infinitely better one," he said.
The next government "must be brave enough, daring enough, to be intuitive, insightful and compassionate", though, "that compassion must have a hard edge" to deal with society's problems.
The government "on its own cannot give us safer streets and communities, greater knowledge and better learning", Mr Kenny continued. "This happens when the person, the community and the State work together, support each other, respect each other, understand each other. This happens when we assert our rights, but live up to our responsibilities.
"At the next election, people won't just be choosing between candidates and parties. Their choice will be much more stark. They'll be choosing the kind of Ireland they want to live in."
He said these changes were necessary before the people would "start to see their government as a true reflection of themselves.
"That's a huge challenge, a huge opportunity and it demands huge courage. Courage to say to the people - the government on its own cannot, should not, do everything."
Voters faced the choice between a Fine Gael-led government or "an Ireland run for the short-term good of the parties under Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats or even, perhaps, the spectre of Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin in government".
Mr Kenny said the election "battlegrounds" would be "health, education and justice, but I believe that battleground will be about something more, how . . . we need a government that will keep its contract with the people."