The broad outline of the coming general election campaign has been sketched out in a series of sharp exchanges between Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the leaders of an alternative government, Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte.
As in the election campaign of 2002, the Fianna Fáil leader warned that Fine Gael and Labour Party policies would jeopardise economic growth, undermine stability and return the country to high unemployment. For their part, the opposition leaders accused the Government of having grown incompetent and complacent in office and they offered a reforming approach.
There was little surprise at the issues raised. What was unusual was the virulence of the language used during these political dog days, in advance of the resumption of the Dáil. For, while the Taoiseach has declared his intention to lead the Coalition Government into 2007, the political parties are behaving as if an election will be held next year.
In that regard, Fine Gael and the Labour Party engaged in spoiling tactics by unveiling proposals for public service reform and the refinement of benchmarking, just as Fianna Fáil was attempting a repeat of last year's successful exercise in political repositioning by focusing on the creation of social capital and improved childcare facilities. Whether Fianna Fáil can again sell itself as the driving force of a caring, competent Government - particularly in the aftermath of RTÉ's Rip-off Republic programmes - remains to be seen. Minister for Finance Brian Cowen may concentrate funding on childcare and pensions in the coming budget, but there is no sign that Mr Ahern plans more radical change, such as the sacking of underperforming Ministers.
The sharpness of the Taoiseach's attack probably reflects the findings of a recent opinion poll that showed more than half of the electorate favours a change in government. Disillusionment with the Government parties runs deep. But voters have not yet made up their minds on a replacement. That same survey probably encouraged Mr Kenny and Mr Rabbitte to put some political flesh on the bones of their alternative government. And while benchmarking will hardly become a make-or-break issue in an election campaign, their call for "meaningful reform" - in view of the growing cost of public service pay and pensions - is certain to strike a chord with the private sector and emphasise their commitment to change.
While the political skirmishing continues, all eyes are on the rising price of oil and the negative social impact it will bring. Even before the spike in oil prices, there were signs the economy was slowing. Mr Cowen took the opportunity to warn his parliamentary colleagues that the coming budget will disappoint some of them. It was not a message they wished to hear. But, as the Government struggles to defend itself against allegations of public waste, inaction when confronted by vested interests and incompetency, it represented a necessary piece of blunt talking.