The Tánaiste, Michael McDowell, last night accused Labour leader Pat Rabbitte of abandoning conviction politics in favour of auction politics in his sudden conversion to tax cuts. Stephen Collins, Political Editor, reports.
Similar views were expressed by the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, who pledged that Fianna Fáil would not engage in auction politics during the election.
Speaking at the opening of the Progressive Democrats annual conference in Wexford, Mr McDowell said his party's commitment to conviction politics and not auction politics had transformed Ireland over the past 20 years.
He claimed that the country's political and economic prospects would take a decided turn for the worse if the Fine Gael-Labour alternative coalition achieved office with Green Party support.
"I have never been so convinced that a single election will determine not just who governs Ireland but the entire future prospects of this island as I am about this election," said the Minister, who again referred to the prospects of a "slump coalition" taking office.
He said that Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens were divided on a range of issues, including immigration, European defence, energy policy and transport. "We could wave goodbye to the Transport 21 motorway programme under Trevor Sargent as environment or transport minister."
Mr McDowell said that on a key issue like the development of the Corrib gas field, Mr Sargent had supported the demonstrators, as had some senior Labour figures, while Enda Kenny had opposed them.
"We face major economic challenges. Is now the time for Ireland to start conducting political experiments in the construction of weak and divided governments?
"Add to this mixture the possibility of Sinn Féin having influence over the creation of the next government and our political and economic prospects take a decided turn for the worse."
Meanwhile, in a speech last night, Mr Cowen said that the soft politics of the easy promise held very obvious attractions for those trying to bid their way into office and he accused Mr Rabbitte of performing a "backflip" on tax.
"I want to make one simple, hard commitment. We in Fianna Fáil will not participate in auction politics ahead of this year's general election."