The process leading to a new alliance between the Labour Party and Democratic Left appears to have gained unstoppable momentum. Yesterday's strong endorsement of the proposed link-up by the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, completes the first courtship rituals. The challenge now is to sort out the longer-term relationship.
There will be no shortage of soul-searching in both parties - and not all of this will centre on policy priorities. A Labour-DL alliance - both parties are loath to use the word "merger" - will discommode senior figures in Labour. Some realise that their political future is endangered if an alliance proceeds. At issue, however, is not the constituency difficulties of individual deputies. Rather, it is a question of whether a merged party can help the left to exert greater influence. Mr Quinn is clearly convinced that a new alliance would be good for politics in this country. A strong Labour Party, he said, has the ability to alter the quality of people's lives. In his view a "new formation" could deliver some 30-40 Dail seats.
On any objective basis some form of alliance makes sound sense - even though some left-wing seats will inevitably be lost in the short-term. DL has long since lost the kind of pariah status that made Fine Gael wary of coalition with it in 1992. The party, which boasts some of the finest performers and best back-up staff in the Dail, has drifted towards orthodox Labour party policies; indeed, as Mr Quinn noted yesterday there is already agreement in ideological terms and a shared vision.
Mr Quinn also used yesterday's special meeting of the parliamentary party at Dromineer, Co Tipperary to identify the key policy priorities for Labour. These include health, housing and the continued failure of the tiger economy to trickle down to the less well-off and the marginalised. In truth, it has been a difficult time for Labour and Mr Quinn to be in opposition. The economy and employment levels have been growing at record levels. There is little in the way of substantial policy divergence on the key issues of Northern Ireland and monetary union. As a result, Mr Quinn's leadership seems low-key, certainly in comparison with that of his predecessor, Mr Spring.
For all that, Ruairi Quinn's is a thoughtful voice on the need for reform and innovation in Irish society. There is a sense that Labour, which has been buoyed by its success in two by-elections, is building behind the scenes and preparing for better fortunes. The nomination of a 26-year old as the party's candidate for the Leinster constituency in the Euro elections may have unsettled the losing candidate, Mr Michael Bell, who has resigned as chairman of the parliamentary party, but many party members will see it as an encouraging straw in the wind.
The question now, amid increasing nervousness about the possible impact of the global economic slowdown in this State, is whether Labour can attract a greater share of votes from its natural constituency base. There is also the not inconsiderable task of forging new and distinct strategies across a broad range of policy areas.