Promising "tangible ideas" and practical solutions to issues of pressing concern to voters, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has set the scene for an assault on Fianna Fáil's hegemony within the political system. It will not be a simple or quick operation. Not only has Fine Gael to convince the electorate that it is capable of leading a competent and creative government; it will have to vastly increase the number of its Dáil seats in order to form an alternative government that would put agreed policies into practice.
In spite of the difficulties, there was no denying the growing confidence of members of the parliamentary party during their two-day meeting in Portlaoise. Alternative policies may be thin on the ground, but Mr Kenny insisted Fine Gael was consulting with the Labour Party in designing new and more effective approaches on a range of matters. In the meantime, the vulnerability of the Government on issues of public waste and competency provided Fine Gael with plenty of ammunition.
The main opposition party is on something of a roll. Before the summer, opinion polls showed the Government had lost the confidence of the electorate. But voters had not transferred their allegiance to an alternative coalition arrangement. Following RTÉ's Rip-Off Republic programmes and rising fuel prices, however, public dissatisfaction grew. And the decision by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to attack Fine Gael and Labour at the Fianna Fáil party conference last week only served to raise their profile as an alternative government. That process has been continued by the Progressive Democrats.
In the last general election, Fine Gael suffered its greatest defeat in 50 years. Since being elected leader in 2002, Mr Kenny has concentrated on rebuilding and reinvigorating the organisation. There have been some European and byelection successes. And confidence has grown. But, if it is to be certain of sharing in government with Labour and the Green Party, Fine Gael will have to regain the 23 seats it lost. In that regard, it has specifically targeted the Progressive Democrats.
The bones of an alternative government now exist. But tension between the parties is likely to increase within constituencies as the election approaches. There are differences between Fine Gael and the Labour Party on taxation. And all parties are modifying their positions on the Groceries Order. Childcare is moving centre stage. And policies on health, crime and competition are being prepared. In all of this, Mr Kenny will have to maintain a creative relationship with Labour leader Pat Rabbitte while keeping lines of communication open to the Green Party.