Opposition parties could harm the successful economy if allowed into government after the next general election, it was claimed today.
As preparations for the new Dail season began, Enterprise Minister and Fianna Fail TD Micheal Martin said Fine Gael and Labour had no economic plans, no policies and no programme.
Speaking at Fianna Fail's annual think-in in Co Cavan, Mr Martin said: "It's more than 18 months since Enda Kenny told us that he believed the opposition parties should have a comprehensive programme put together - within 18 months."
"They point blank refuse to publish constructive policies with any serious details or costings." The Opposition parties did today publish a document outlining plans to work together on a project to tackle what they say is the waste of public money by the current Government.
But the theme of trying to undermine the Opposition's credentials was maintained by other Fianna Fail politicians.
"Their reckless and rash economic approach would threaten hard won progress on job creation, tax reduction and economic growth," Finance Minister and deputy party leader Brian Cowen earlier said.
He also noted that Ireland's economy was performing better than any of its EU neighbours and had reached virtually full employment.
Fine Gael and the Labour Party today unveiled a joint project which they said would tackle the waste of public money by the current Government and improve spending on public services.
But Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern immediately dismissed the proposal as an "axis of taxes" and insisted that Fianna Fail had built prosperity since coming to power in 1997.
Fine Gael and Labour claimed the potential for improving living standards in Ireland was being held back by Government ineptitude and its failure to deliver quality public services while achieving value for money for taxpayers.
Up to 110 TDs and Senators today heard from invited speakers Irish rugby coach Eddie O'Sullivan and US sociologist Prof Robert Puttnam.
National Economic and Social Forum chairperson Maureen Gaffney will speak tomorrow as well as an economist, a tax specialist and an expert on children's rights.
Mr Cowen said of the two-day event ahead of the September 28 Dail resumption: "It gives an opportunity for the parliamentary party to hear from others about various policy options and the impact of our economic policies going forward.
"We will also discuss how we can achieve our social objectives on the basis of Budget sustainability." Issues like the cost of childcare, the perceived rip-off of consumers, traffic congestion and a dwindling sense of community spirit are expected to top the agenda. Finance guru Eddie Hobbs earlier claimed his hit 'Rip-Off Republic' show would be back on our screens if consumers didn't get better value for money. The final episode of the four-part series airs tonight on RTE 1.
The serious has drawn huge audience figures yet provoked outrage from Government politicians. Mr Martin also claimed Opposition leaders were trying to grab power at all costs. "They are trying to win power without proper programmes.
"They are united only by opportunism. They arrogantly tell us that they can't tell the people of their plans two years before an election but they could do it two weeks after an election. The contempt for the Irish people is staggering."